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 …
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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 …
Discussion:
ABC News
Alex Butler / UPI:
Dodgers' Muncy homers, ball comes back to hit outfielder in head — Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy hit a home run, which bounced back onto the field and hit an outfielder in the head during a 7-5 win against the Chicago Cubs. — Muncy's mash came Wednesday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kyle Hendricks: 'I've had troubles ... but this is one of the toughest' — Cubs' Kyle Hendricks after his shortest start in almost four years: 'I'm just searching right now.' (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — As the Cubs await the results of Yu Darvish's bullpen …
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers continue to hit the ball over the fence, beat Cubs 7-5
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
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 …
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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
Shawn Windsor / Detroit Free Press:
In firing Chris Bosio, Detroit Tigers prove that words still matter
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — What happened: One day after scoring seven runs …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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:
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:
The Good Phight and Pinstripe Alley
Abbey Mastracco / NorthJersey.com:
Mets' bullpen crumbles, blows it for Zack Wheeler in loss to Pirates — Abbey Mastracco, Staff Writer, @AbbeyMastracco — NEW YORK — If the Mets really are sellers at the trade deadline, as assistant general manager John Ricco said they may be before Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates …
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Tim Healey / Newsday:
John Ricco says Mets will be sellers
Discussion:
New York Daily News and MLB Trade Rumors
Abbey Mastracco / Daily Record:
Mets ownership challenges John Ricco in Sandy Alderson's absence
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and NorthJersey.com
Associated Press:
Bregman's 2-run shot gives Houston 7-6 win over Blue Jays — HOUSTON — It isn't very often that Alex Bregman whiffs on two straight fastballs, so when he did so in the ninth inning on Wednesday it left Houston's third baseman a bit upset. — Fortunately for the Astros …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and The Crawfish Boxes
RELATED:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Zach Eflin has made huge jump to be key member of Phillies' rotation
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
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Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' Manny Machado apologizes for not running out grounder, says 'there's no excuse'
Discussion:
USA Today, Camden Chat, Lookout Landing, Purple Row, NBCSports.com, Sporting News and MLB Baseball News …
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) …
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John Jackson / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Shields goes 7 scoreless innings as White Sox beat Twins 6-1
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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.
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Joe Morgan talks Big Red Machine during Hunter Greene's Dayton Dragons start — Hall of Famer Joe Morgan joined the Dayton Dragons' broadcast last Friday during top Reds prospect Hunter Greene's most recent start before his win Wednesday, and gave play-by-play man Tom Nichols …
ESPN:
Angels reliever Jake Jewell leaves game on stretcher after play at plate — Los Angeles Angels reliever Jake Jewell had to be taken off the Fenway Park field on a stretcher after a play at home plate in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox.
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.
Joe Lyons / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Wong expects to bounce back after being hit by pitch twice — Kolten Wong was a little sore and a little ticked off after being hit twice by Cleveland starter Shane Bieber Wednesday night in the Indians' 5-1 victory at Busch Stadium. — “Basically in the same spot, on the right hamstring …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Carl Edwards Jr. could be back with Cubs real soon — Cubs' Yu Darvish on when he might come off the disabled list: 'It's still day-by-day.' (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs' rotation remains in flux, but Carl Edwards Jr. could rejoin the bullpen next week.
Bob Ford / Philly.com:
As Phillies find their way, playing teams like the Yankees helps | Bob Ford — The three-day invasion of Citizens Bank Park by fans who have endured the lifelong burden of front-running with the most successful franchise in baseball history came to a blessed end on Wednesday evening.
