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:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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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
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.
Discussion:
Minor League Ball
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:
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
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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
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Carl Edwards Jr. to pitch for Iowa Cubs on rehab assignment — Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982. Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time. Mark Marturello and Michael Zamora/The Register
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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.
Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers Ron Gardenhire ejected because of ... his bench coach? — Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire was not short on words when talking about how he felt after being tossed during Wednesday's game against the Oakland Athletics. — Gardenhire was thrown out in the third inning …
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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 …
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:
Federal Baseball, CBS Philly and Phillies Nation
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Bob Ford / Philly.com:
As Phillies find their way, playing teams like the Yankees helps
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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.
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:
MLB Baseball News …, Beyond the Box Score and South Side Sox
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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
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:
Phillies Nation, Purple Row, Camden Chat, Lookout Landing, NBCSports.com, Sporting News, MLB Baseball News … and USA Today
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:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Dillon Maples leaves brief but favorable impression on Joe Maddon — Chicago Tribune — Dillon Maples made a favorable impression on Cubs manager Joe Maddon before the prized reliever was optioned Thursday morning to make room for Tyler Chatwood. — Maddon described …
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:
MLB Baseball News …, AZ Snake Pit and Fish Stripes
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:
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
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 …
