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 …, Bleed Cubbie Blue and True Blue LA
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Rizzo has huge day; Cubs rip Dodgers' bullpen in 11-5 win — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Rizzo's three-run double and Addison Russell's two-run homer highlighted a seven-run seventh inning as the Chicago Cubs broke loose after Clayton Kershaw exited, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-5 on Thursday.
Helene Elliott / The Charlotte Observer:
Matt Kemp's game, and his life, have been on the upswing since his return to the Dodgers
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Alex Butler / UPI:
Dodgers' Muncy homers, ball comes back to hit outfielder in head
Discussion:
Minor League Ball
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 …, Deadspin and Bless You Boys
RELATED:
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' Daniel Stumpf's nickname at root of Chris Bosio firing — Former Detroit Tigers pitching coach Chris Bosio denied allegations of directing “insensitive comments” at a team employee on Thursday afternoon, telling USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale that his comments were not racial in nature …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Chris Bosio shocked at firing, considering legal action — A day after he was fired as pitching coach of the Detroit Tigers for using what the team called insensitive comments toward a club employee, Chris Bosio says what happened was a misunderstanding and that he will explore potential legal action against the organization.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
CC Sabathia, Friday's starter for Yankees, calls Red Sox tilt biggest series yet this season — With the Rays, Blue Jays and Orioles in the rearview mirror, the only team the Yankees have to likely worry about in their division the rest of the season is their blood rivals, the Red Sox …
RELATED:
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
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies' Jerad Eickhoff heads to Florida to continue rehab — Jerad Eickhoff left the Phillies bullpen on Thursday afternoon with a towel over his shoulder and optimism in his mind. — It was just earlier this month that Eickhoff traversed the country to find out why his fingers had gone numb when he last pitched.
RELATED:
Bob Ford / Philly.com:
As Phillies find their way, playing teams like the Yankees helps
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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:
CBSSports.com, Sporting News and Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notebook: Hunter Greene continues to pitch well; Nick Senzel has surgery — Reds pitcher Anthony DeSclafani discusses his third-inning grand slam in an 11-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. It was the first grand slam by a Reds pitcher since 1959. The Enquirer/Bobby Nightengale
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: There's no telling how long the White Sox rebuild will take — White Sox manager Rick Renteria talks about 36-year-old pitcher James Shields making himself ‘relevant.’ (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox reach the midway point of the 2018 season Friday …
Discussion:
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.
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Rays journal: Debate continues over Romo's outburst — ST. PETERSBURG — There was plenty said to both extremes about RHP Sergio Romo having his say with Washington's Michael A. Taylor at the end of Tuesday's game. — Some defended the Rays reliever for defending the game in chastising Taylor …
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 …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Astros To Place Carlos Correa On 10-Day DL — The Astros will place star shortstop Carlos Correa on the 10-day disabled list, manager A.J. Hinch told reporters including MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (video link on Twitter). The move will formally be made tomorrow.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and baseballmusings.com
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 and Red Reporter
