Top News:
Gordon Wittenmyer / NBCSports.com:
Dream on this: Cubs-Reds featured in planned Iowa sequel — CINCINNATI — It wasn't exactly heaven when the Cubs and Reds took the field Monday for the opener of a three-game series. — But maybe it was Iowa? — OK, maybe not even that. Not yet. — But by this time next year …
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com, Sports Illustrated, MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Charlie Goldsmith / Cincinnati.com:
Joey Votto makes history with his 2,000th hit as the Reds beat the Cubs — Even before Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto walked into the batter's box in the seventh inning on Monday night, the crowd at Great American Ball Park had a feeling he was going to make history.
Discussion:
ESPN and Red Reporter
ESPN:
San Diego Padres take chance on Jake Arrieta with Yu Darvish on IL — The San Diego Padres, in need of pitching reinforcements as they try to hang on to their wild-card lead, have signed right-hander Jake Arrieta to a minor league contract. — San Diego manager Jayce Tingler said Arrieta …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Return of Fernando Tatis Jr. could be a momentum-changer for struggling San Diego Padres
Discussion:
ESPN and MLB Baseball News …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Fighting to save their season, Padres activate Fernando Tatis Jr. to play right field
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated and MLB Baseball News …
Nick Piecoro / USA Today:
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tyler Gilbert throws no-hitter in first MLB start
Discussion:
Mercury News, The Athletic, Associated Press and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
The Honus Wagner T206 is the sports card GOAT, and it always will be — Nearly 100,000 people flooded onto the floor of the 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention in suburban Chicago, all jostling for space while peering into glass cases. Some were there to buy, shelling out anywhere …
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB Baseball News … and Sports Illustrated
RELATED:
Dan Hajducky / ESPN:
T206 Honus Wagner baseball card sells for $6.606 million, shattering previous record — A T206 Honus Wagner baseball card sold for $6.606 million — which includes a 20% buyer's premium — early Monday morning, shattering the record for highest-selling sports card of all time.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Baseball America:
2021 Midseason MLB Organization Talent Rankings — A lot has changed since we last rolled out Organization Talent Rankings before the 2021 season. There's been another draft, a very busy trade deadline, a lot of graduations and most importantly, three months of minor league action …
Associated Press:
Attorney: Astros settle case of girl hurt by foul ball — HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros have agreed to a settlement with the parents of a 2-year-old girl struck by a foul ball during a 2019 Astros game at Minute Maid Park, the family's attorney said Monday.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Which contenders have the toughest path to the playoffs? 10 ways the MLB schedule could rock the races — The seven worst teams in baseball went 1-6 on Sunday and were outscored by a combined 17 runs. This was no surprise. Since Aug. 1, when all the players dealt at the trade deadline …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets fall to .500 with fourth straight loss as questionable choices abound — SAN FRANCISCO — The best team in baseball delivered one gut punch after another to the Mets, a crumbling club slipping quickly in the NL East standings. — Mets trade target Kris Bryant haunted them Monday night …
Neil Greenberg / Washington Post:
MLB umpires are squeezing the strike zone, and it's hurting some teams more than others — There are few more enduring — some might even say charming — aspects of baseball than arguments over balls and strikes. They're expressed in a pitcher's glare, a batter's eye-roll, an R-rated chirp from the dugout.
Discussion:
Orange County Register, AZ Snake Pit and The Good Phight
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton to manager Aaron Boone: Remove me from closer role — CHICAGO — New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton told manager Aaron Boone to remove him from his current role as the team's closer after his latest blown save of the season.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Associated Press
Matthew Roberson / New York Daily News:
Mets drubbed 14-4 as Dodgers finish off series sweep — On the 56th anniversary of the Beatles' famous concert at Shea Stadium, it was the Mets who needed help. — They needed somebody to help them figure out Max Scherzer, the Dodgers' (72-46) recent acquisition who stifled the Mets (59-58) en route to a 14-4 Los Angeles victory.
