Top News:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kyle Schwarber regaining his groove — Chicago Tribune — Kyle Schwarber is making up for lost time that he hopes can result in a memorable final week of the regular season. — Schwarber went 2-for-2, including a home run and two RBIs, to start the Cubs' game Sunday against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Rick Renteria says his White Sox still have plenty to play for in the season's final week — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox need to win six of their final seven games just to match last year's record of 67-95. — They lost Sunday's City Series finale 6-1 to drop the home series to the Cubs 2-1.
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Cubs counting on Javier Baez to keep them covered at shortstop — CHICAGO — If there wasn't enough riding on the shoulders of Chicago Cubs MVP candidate Javier Baez before, then there is now, as he'll take over the full-time shortstop duties while teammate Addison Russell is on administrative leave …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Didi Gregorius to be re-evaluated in a few days after injuring wrist — NEW YORK — A day after one of the most joyful moments of the New York Yankees' season, the club found out that that celebratory game-winner may have also been quite costly. — On the very play in which Didi Gregorius slid headfirst …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Associated Press:
Why Derek Jeter's Marlins aren't doing so hot right about now — MIAMI — The 25th anniversary of the Marlins franchise was seen by the fewest fans at home in team history. — The Marlins became the first major league team to draw fewer than 1 million fans at home since the 2004 Montreal Expos …
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Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds end their final road trip with another shutout loss to Miami Marlins — MIAMI - When Michael Lorenzen returned to the dugout following the fourth inning Sunday, he took off his glove and threw it toward the bench. Then he threw his hat. — In the final game of a 10-game road trip …
Tim Tucker / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
How Braves will balance rest vs. chasing home-field advantage for playoffs — Braves manager Brian Snitker plans to seek a balance this week between two playoff-related objectives: resting key players and chasing home-field advantage. — Not surprisingly, Snitker rested front-line players Sunday …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and Talking Chop
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Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Phillies swept in Atlanta; Aaron Nola eclipses 200-inning mark
Phillies swept in Atlanta; Aaron Nola eclipses 200-inning mark
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Talking Chop
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' home finale loss sums up 2018 season: Just a hit short — Victor Martinez, the 39-year-old designated hitter, is retiring after the 2018 season. Free Press sports writer Ryan Ford takes a look at his career. Wochit — CONNECT — The story of the Detroit Tigers' season …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — With the Los Angeles Dodgers in town for three games at Chase Field starting on Monday night, the Diamondbacks face yet another potentially upsetting sight - having to watch from their own dugout as their rivals celebrate on the field. That doesn't look like an especially likely outcome …
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Derek Montilla / Arizona Sports:
Diamondbacks swept by Rockies, eliminated from playoff hunt Sunday — PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks spent 125 days in first place in the National League West this season. — The tides have turned. Shortly after the D-backs were eliminated from postseason contention with wins …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Matt Ehalt / NorthJersey.com:
Mets' need for more effective lefty reliever magnified in 6-0 loss to Nats — WASHINGTON — A dependable lefty reliever would be a nice offseason addition. — Southpaw reliever Jerry Blevins' poor season continued Saturday when he allowed a game-sealing three-run homer in the sixth inning …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Federal Baseball, Amazin' Avenue, New York Daily News, New York Post and Associated Press
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Ian Harrison / Associated Press:
Blake Snell extends his MLB-best win total as Rays beat Blue Jays 5-2 — Blake Snell's 21 wins are a Rays' single-season record. — Blake Snell won his ninth straight start to increasing his major league-leading victories total to 21, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2 on Sunday to stave off elimination.
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Angela Hutti / FOX2now.com:
Cardinals sweep Giants with 9-2, stay on track for wild card — ST. LOUIS _ Miles Mikolas won his fourth straight start, Matt Carpenter hit his NL-leading 36th homer and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the San Francisco Giants 9-2 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep and remain on track for the NL's second wild card.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Why have the Red Sox won almost 20 games more than the Indians? — Going into the season, I thought the Cleveland Indians would be better than the Boston Red Sox. Not a lot better, a little better. But better. — EDITOR'S PICKS — My opinion on this matter was based on numbers …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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Associated Press:
Astros rally for 9 runs in 8th, beats Angels 10-5 — Justin Verlander reached double digits in strikeouts for the third straight outing and has 12 such games this season. — HOUSTON — Justin Verlander struck out 11 in six dominant innings, Jose Altuve capped a nine-run eighth with a two-run homer …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Halos Heaven
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Will Graves / Star Tribune:
Brewers cruise past Pirates, move closer to playoff berth — PITTSBURGH — Christian Yelich hit his 32nd home run, Travis Shaw added his 31st and the Milwaukee Brewers blew past the mistake-prone Pittsburgh Pirates 13-6 on Sunday. — Yelich finished 2 for 3 to boost his batting average …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and Bucs Dugout
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Pedro Strop believes he can return to Cubs this week — Chicago Tribune — Reliever Pedro Strop remains optimistic he could rejoin the Cubs before the end of the regular season. — “I feel a lot better,” Strop said before running to the field to play catch Sunday morning.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sandy Leon gives Boston a new Tek solution behind the plate — CLEVELAND — Sandy Leon was raised by his parents to be respectful, to treat others the right way, to act the right way. He could have fun and run around and play with his friends in Maracaibo, Venezuela, but at the Leon dinner table …