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 …
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
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:
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
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 — NEW YORK - The long, hot Red Sox-Yankees summer begins now. — Nearly half a season has already been played, but everything is essentially even between these great rivals - two teams that have completely separated themselves in the AL East.
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
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:
MLB Baseball News …, New York Daily News and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Abbey Mastracco / NorthJersey.com:
Mets' bullpen crumbles, blows it for Zack Wheeler in loss to Pirates
Abbey Mastracco / Daily Record:
Mets ownership challenges John Ricco in Sandy Alderson's absence
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue and NorthJersey.com
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, Federal Baseball and Phillies Nation
RELATED:
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:
USA Today, Camden Chat, Purple Row, Lookout Landing, NBCSports.com, Sporting News and MLB Baseball News …
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
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) …
RELATED:
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.
Marc Narducci / Philly.com:
Phillies promote first-round pick Alec Bohm after three games in rookie league — Alec Bohm's first minor league stop was a brief one. — The third baseman from Wichita State, selected third overall in June's first-year player draft, began his career with the Phillies' Gulf Coast League team.
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 …
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.
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 …
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 …
