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 …, True Blue LA and 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
Alex Butler / UPI:
Dodgers' Muncy homers, ball comes back to hit outfielder in head
Discussion:
Minor League Ball
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
Bob Nightengale / Detroit Free Press:
Chris Bosio ‘crushed’ by Tigers firing, insists he did not direct slur toward employee — Chris Bosio still can't grasp why he was sitting in his Detroit apartment Thursday afternoon instead of on the bench at Comerica Park, unable to accept his abrupt firing as the Detroit Tigers pitching coach.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
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 …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and Bless You Boys
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 …
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:
John Harper / New York Daily News:
If Yankees want to beat Red Sox in AL East race, they need Giancarlo Stanton to start hitting like J.D. Martinez — Over the last few weeks Giancarlo Stanton has started to look more like the reigning National League MVP than the guy who spent the first couple of months as a Yankee chasing pitches …
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.
RELATED:
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
In wake of feud with Cubs, Sammy Sosa remains adamant about not using PEDs — Sammy Sosa hit 609 home runs in his major league career, 545 of them with the Chicago Cubs. But he and the team are locked in a standoff over suggestions that he hit most of them with the assistance of performance enhancing drugs.
Discussion:
Sporting News, Chicago Tribune and MLB Baseball News …
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.
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
RELATED:
Bob Ford / Philly.com:
As Phillies find their way, playing teams like the Yankees helps
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Jays' starter Ryan Borucki's hard work pays off as he rises above ‘dark place’ — HOUSTON — Ryan Borucki has been described as a can't miss prospect, which is interesting because when he was a senior in high school, if he turned sideways, you probably would have missed him.
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:
Red Reporter and Brew Crew Ball
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:
AZ Snake Pit and Fish Stripes
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:
Tommy Birch / Des Moines Register:
Iowa Cubs reliever Alberto Baldonado selected to play in Triple-A All-Star Game — Iowa manager Marty Pevey is headed to the Triple-A All-Star Game with some company. — Alberto Baldonado, a left-handed reliever, was selected to play for the Pacific Coast League All-Star team in the Triple …
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 …
Jake Fischer / Sports Illustrated:
Sources: Sixers Building Trade Packages for Kawhi Leonard Around Saric, Covington — The buzz around Kawhi Leonard has increased in recent days, with several teams displaying interest. Sources tell The Crossover that Philadelphia is among the franchises weighing trade packages for the Spurs star.
Discussion:
Boston Sports Journal, Hoops Rumors and NESN.com
