Top News:
MLB.com:
MLB announces ABS Challenge System coming to the Major Leagues beginning in the 2026 season — Joint Competition Committee Adopts Use of ABS Challenge Format — Major League Baseball (MLB) today announced that the Automated Ball Strike (ABS) Challenge System has been approved for Major League play …
Discussion:
Dodger Blue, Arizona Sports, Sports Illustrated and Brew Crew Ball
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Tim Capurso / Sports Illustrated:
Numbers Behind MLB's New ABS Challenge System Suggest One Position Could Be Crucial
Discussion:
The Athletic, Gaslamp Ball and South Side Sox
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
‘Robot umpires’ coming to MLB with ABS challenge system approved for 2026
‘Robot umpires’ coming to MLB with ABS challenge system approved for 2026
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, Phillies Nation, UPI, baseballmusings.com, Yahoo Sports and MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Robot umpires approved for MLB in 2026 as part of challenge system
Robot umpires approved for MLB in 2026 as part of challenge system
Discussion:
MLB.com, Dallas Morning News, Orange County Register, Baltimore Sun, NESN.com, Athletics Nation, Yahoo Sports, Phillies Nation, Dodger Blue, Bleeding Yankee Blue, San Diego Union-Tribune, Associated Press, Baseball America, The Athletic, Mercury News, New York Post, Chicago Sun Times, New Jersey Online, D-backs Under Review, OnPattison, Twinkie Town, Red Reporter, New York Daily News, Pinstripe Alley, Bless You Boys, Purple Row, Royals Review, Bleed Cubbie Blue, masslive.com and Arizona Sports
Barry M. Bloom / Sportico:
MLB to Launch Ball-Strike Review Challenges in 2026 Season
MLB to Launch Ball-Strike Review Challenges in 2026 Season
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Associated Press:
Guardians defy odds with historic comeback for AL Central lead — CLEVELAND — Steven Kwan wasn't looking at the American League Central standings in early July when the Cleveland Guardians were eight games under .500, in fourth place and 15 1/2 games behind the Detroit Tigers.
Discussion:
Plain Dealer, Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, Pinstripe Alley and ESPN
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Jacob Feldman / Sportico:
It's Time to Update Your Passwords, MLB Tickets Thefts Prove — Baseball fans from Los Angeles and Detroit to Miami and Boston saw coveted tickets to MLB games disappear from their accounts within the league's Ballpark app earlier this month. Some faced disruptions while attempting …
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Associated Press:
Mariners win AL West for 1st time in 24 years as Cal Raleigh reaches 60 homers in 9-2 win over Rockies — SEATTLE — Only fitting it was Cal Raleigh who catapulted the Seattle Mariners to their first AL West championship in 24 years. — The switch-hitting catcher launched two more homers …
Discussion:
UPI, New York Post, The Athletic, Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, Purple Row, Denver Post and Sportsnet.ca
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Associated Press:
Searching for bullpen help, Dodgers activate RHP Roki Sasaki from 60-day injured list — PHOENIX — The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, and the right-hander is expected to throw out of the bullpen over the final five games …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Dodger Blue, Yahoo! Sports, The Athletic and Sportsnet.ca
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Nationals bringing in Paul Toboni to lead operations — The Washington Nationals are finalizing a deal to name Paul Toboni their new head of baseball operations, sources told ESPN, tabbing the Boston Red Sox assistant general manager to turn around a team barreling toward its fifth last-place finish in six seasons.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, New York Post, Mercury News, MLB Trade Rumors, Yahoo Sports and Boston Herald
Ben Fischer / Sports Business Journal:
Patriots to sell 8% of franchise, including 3% to Sixth Street, at more than $9B valuation — In its first investment under the 2024 NFL private equity policy, Sixth Street has a deal in place to acquire 3% of the Patriots at a valuation of a little over $9B, sources said.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, The Boston Globe, masslive.com, Boston.com, Sportico and NESN.com
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Sonny Gray says he'll consider waiving no-trade clause given ‘direction’ Cardinals are going — SAN FRANCISCO — Within an hour of the Cardinals' formal, mathematical elimination from the National League playoffs late Wednesday night, starter Sonny Gray delivered a detailed review of his season and how “very strong” he felt at its end.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Associated Press:
Padres outfielder Laureano has a broken finger and will miss the first round of the playoffs — SAN DIEGO — Ramón Laureano of the San Diego Padres broke his right index finger on Wednesday in a 3-1 loss to the NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers and manager Mike Shildt said the outfielder …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Associated Press:
Dodgers close on another NL West title, hurting Diamondbacks' playoff hopes with 5-4 win in 11 innings — PHOENIX — Tommy Edman singled home the tiebreaking run with two outs in the 11th inning, Justin Wrobleski got the final three outs to stabilize a shaky bullpen and the Los Angeles Dodgers moved closer …
Discussion:
Arizona Republic, MLB.com, Arizona Sports, Orange County Register, D-backs Under Review and True Blue LA
Associated Press:
Phillies wrap up a 1st-round bye, hitting a team-record 8 homers to rout the Marlins — PHILADELPHIA — Edmundo Sosa hit three of Philadelphia's team-record eight home runs, Kyle Schwarber had two to pad his National League lead and the Phillies wrapped up a first-round bye with an 11-1 victory over the Miami Marlins.
Discussion:
MLB.com, The Athletic, Phillies Nation, OnPattison and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Aaron Judge ties MLB record by hitting 50 homers for 4th time, matching Ruth, McGwire and Sosa — NEW YORK — Aaron Judge tied the major league record by reaching 50 home runs for the fourth time, hitting a go-ahead, three-run drive for the New York Yankees in the second inning against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Chicago Tribune, The Athletic, Baltimore Sun, New York Post, New Jersey Online and baseballmusings.com
Barry M. Bloom / Sportico:
Steve Cohen's High Payroll Can't Guarantee Mets Success — It's been a steep learning curve for Mets owner Steve Cohen, just as it is for most successful businessmen who buy professional sports franchises. — Since purchasing the team from Fred Wilpon in late 2020, Cohen has tried to buy …
Discussion:
New York Daily News
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Jacob Feldman / Sportico:
Reds Overtake Mets in MLB Playoff Chase, With $222M to Spare
Reds Overtake Mets in MLB Playoff Chase, With $222M to Spare
Discussion:
Redleg Nation, MLB.com, Arizona Republic and Amazin' Avenue

