Top News:
Associated Press:
Dodgers hit 3 homers for 51 in June, beat Cubs 7-5 — LOS ANGELES (AP) — After an anemic first couple months of the season, the Dodgers are powering balls out of the stadium at a near record rate. — Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger each hit a solo home run, Joc Pederson added a two-run shot …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Helene Elliott / The Charlotte Observer:
Matt Kemp's game, and his life, have been on the upswing since his return to the Dodgers — The pregame music was loud and energetic, and Matt Kemp was bouncing along to it after taking his turn in the batting cage at Dodger Stadium one day this week. “I'm livin' my best life,” he sang, and improbably enough, he is.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Kyle Hendricks searching for answers when Cubs need him to deliver — LOS ANGELES — Frustrated. Perhaps even exasperated. Pick a similar adjective and it would probably fit the description of Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks' mood right now. After the second-shortest outing …
Toronto Sun:
Cubs brace for Kershaw, Dodgers — LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw's comeback from a third back injury in three years will continue Thursday afternoon when he faces the Chicago Cubs in the finale of a four-game series. — It is the last time the Dodgers and Cubs will meet in the regular season …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo returns to lineup as Cubs take on Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kyle Hendricks: 'I've had troubles ... but this is one of the toughest'
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers continue to hit the ball over the fence, beat Cubs 7-5
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Why the Red Sox — not the Yankees — will win the AL East — Is it accurate to describe the American League East as an epic playoff race? I believe so. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are both on pace to win more than 105 games and the last time two teams in the same division won 100 games …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
RELATED:
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox series: Pitching matchups, big questions
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Luis Severino, who's faced Red Sox twice this season, will start against rivals in Yankee Stadium …
George A. King III / New York Post:
Yankees' strategy for Red Sox series didn't help vs. Phillies
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and The Good Phight
Detroit News:
Next Slide — Go through the gallery to see The Detroit News' midseason grades for the Detroit Tigers, compiled by Chris McCosky. Click here if you have trouble viewing the gallery. — Detroit — This is an odd thing to say riding a seven-game losing streak into Game 81 …
RELATED:
Shawn Windsor / Detroit Free Press:
In firing Chris Bosio, Detroit Tigers prove that words still matter
Orion Sang / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers players on Bosio's firing: 'It's not a good day here'
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, WXYZ-TV and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Stats / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Nationals hope to rev up offense vs. Phillies — Washington Nationals did not do much offensively. — In fact, they did not score. — After going scoreless for two games with the — Tampa Bay Rays, the Nationals hope to get their offense going Thursday night in the opener …
Discussion:
CBS Philly, Phillies Nation and Federal Baseball
RELATED:
Bob Ford / Philly.com:
As Phillies find their way, playing teams like the Yankees helps
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Orioles may have hard time getting big return for their relievers — BALTIMORE — If it seemed too good to be true, that's because it was. — In the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday, the Baltimore Orioles overcame a one-run deficit against a Seattle Mariners team that has spent …
Discussion:
Associated Press
RELATED:
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' Manny Machado apologizes for not running out grounder, says 'there's no excuse'
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, Camden Chat, Purple Row, Lookout Landing, NBCSports.com, Sporting News, MLB Baseball News … and USA Today
Toronto Sun:
White Sox seek first four-game win streak of season vs. Twins — The Chicago White Sox have a chance to complete their first three-game sweep of the season when they face the Minnesota Twins in the series finale Thursday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field. — Chicago (28-51) …
Discussion:
Beyond the Box Score and South Side Sox
RELATED:
John Jackson / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Shields goes 7 scoreless innings as White Sox beat Twins 6-1
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Tim Healey / Newsday:
John Ricco says Mets will be sellers — Assistant GM says team will be active as trade deadline approaches and will consider offers for Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard. — The Mets are embracing their 2018 fate as trade-deadline sellers. — Assistant general manager John Ricco …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, New York Daily News and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Zach Eflin has made huge jump to be key member of Phillies' rotation — Zach Eflin appears to be making the leap from roster filler to impact starting pitcher. This is not something anyone would have predicted in spring training, but it's also something that maybe could have been predicted if you knew Eflin's history.
RELATED:
USA Today:
MLB players survey: Sounding off on umps, shifts, steroids - and whether to strike back — After decades of labor peace and undeniable prosperity, Major League Baseball players have experienced a tumultuous few years. — An aggressive commissioner has threatened to unilaterally alter the way the game is played.
Alan Robinson / UPI:
Resurgent Reds take on first-place Brewers — The Cincinnati Reds are much better now than they were a month into the season, and it's partly because Anthony DeSclafani is much better than they anticipated. — Not only DeSclafani, the pitcher. DeSclafani, the hitter, too.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves Activate Ronald Acuna, Place Brandon McCarthy On DL — The Braves announced Thursday that they've activated Ronald Acuna Jr. from the disabled list and placed veteran right-hander Brandon McCarthy on the 10-day DL due to tendinitis in his right knee.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Talking Chop
Associated Press:
LEADING OFF: Bregman crushing in the clutch, Kershaw vs Cubs — A look at what's happening around the majors today: — CLUTCH CITY — Alex Bregman is red-hot at the plate as the Astros travel to Tampa Bay for a four-game series, and he's been especially good late in games.
ESPN:
Ex-Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa still denies use of PEDs during career — Former Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa, unlike his rival in the historic home run chase of 1998, has never admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. — And Sosa, in a recent interview with E:60's Jeremy Schaap …
Associated Press:
Encarnacion, Chisenhall HR; Bieber sharp as Tribe top Cards — ST. LOUIS (AP) — After a rough debut, Cleveland Indians rookie Shane Bieber has found his routine. — Edwin Encarnacion and Lonnie Chisenhall hit back-to-back homers, Bieber pitched six strong innings and the Indians beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Alan Robinson / UPI:
D-Backs' Greinke may utilize slow curveball vs. Marlins — Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke is slowing down, which is not uncommon for a 34-year-old pitcher. — The only surprise is he is doing it on purpose. — The majors' second highest-paid pitcher this season …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes
