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3:20 PM ET, July 4, 2018

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 Top News: 
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or not?  Ohtani is back too late to save the Angels  —  Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Angels lineup at a much-needed time, with the Angels scuffling at a game over .500 and beginning a must-win series against a team they have to chase down for a playoff spot.
RELATED:
Larry Millson / UPI:   Blue Jays try for sweep of struggling Mets
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:   Mets waste yet another solid Zack Wheeler start, but at least his trade stock is rising
Barry M. Bloom / Forbes:
Shohei Ohtan Returns To The Los Angeles Angels As Their Designated Hitter
Discussion: Halos Heaven
Associated Press:
Eflin wins again, Knapp has key hit as Phillies beat O's  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zach Eflin and the Phillies are on a roll.  —  Eflin pitched seven strong innings for his sixth straight victory, Andrew Knapp had the winning hit for the second straight game and Philadelphia beat …
RELATED:
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Phillies look to get 10 games over .500 vs. O's |  Extra Innings  —  Thanks to Zach Eflin and Seranthony Dominguez, the two biggest pitching surprises of the season, and a spectacular game-saving play by third baseman Maikel Franco in the top of the eighth inning, the Phillies pulled out another …
Matt Breen / Philly.com:
Phillies could trade for Manny Machado if price is right
Discussion: Talking Chop
Stephen Pianovich / UPI:   Phillies' Aaron Nola goes for 11th win against Orioles
Associated Press:
Astros win on road again with 5-3 victory at rival Rangers  —  Houston is 11-4 this season against its instate division rival, with seven consecutive road wins in the series.  Houston is a majors-best 31-14 on the road this season.  —  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - Josh Reddick and Tony Kemp homered …
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Stefan Stevenson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers Reaction: Enjoy the enjoyable even if your team stinks
Steve Habel / UPI:   Houston Astros hope to catch a break versus Texas Rangers
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros hang on to beat Rangers in series opener
Discussion: The Crawfish Boxes
ESPN:
Nats activate Matt Adams (broken finger) from DL  —  Washington Nationals slugger Matt Adams has been activated from the 10-day disabled list after missing over two weeks with a broken finger.  —  Adams suffered a fractured left index finger on June 15 when he was hit by a pitch and has missed Washington's last 16 games.
RELATED:
Harvey Valentine / UPI:
Hot Red Sox, slumping Nationals play morning game  —  WASHINGTON — The Boston Red Sox will look to get a jump on the day and complete a sweep of the Washington Nationals Wednesday morning at Nationals Park.  —  The Nationals, hosting their traditional 11:05 a.m. July Fourth game …
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:   What's wrong with the Nationals?
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Yu Darvish's rehab program — and return to Cubs rotation — remains murky  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses bringing up Victor Caratini, Chris Gimenez and Yu Darvish on Wednesday, July 4, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Wednesday marked the fifth …
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs juggle lineup against Tigers; recall Victor Caratini while designating Chris Gimenez
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:   Joe Maddon in tune with Cubs' lineup possibilities
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals … Every at-bat is a fact-finding mission, especially for a team that's facing a pitcher it hasn't seen before - and even more so when that pitcher is as good as Jack Flaherty, the St. Louis Cardinals' rookie right-hander.  —  Flaherty has a fastball that can touch 97.
RELATED:
Marly RiveraESPN / ESPN:   Paul Goldschmidt delivers an epic in-season comeback
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:   Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Sean Farrell / Daily Record:
New York Yankees catcher Austin Romine sits for fourth straight day  —  NEW YORK - Austin Romine wants to play.  And now, he feels healthy enough to return.  —  But the Yankee catcher found himself on the bench for the fourth straight day even after the tightness in his hamstring subsided.
RELATED:
Wallace Matthews / New York Times:
Yankees Display Their Flaws, but Still Beat the Braves
Justin Tasch / New York Daily News:   Giancarlo Stanton dusts himself off after crashing into wall, then plays hero for Yankees
Dennis Georgatos / Associated Press:
Senzatela throws 7 shutout innings, Rockies beat Giants 8-1  —  Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado, center, is congratulated by teammates Charlie Blackmon, left, and DJ LeMahieu after Arenado hit a three-run home run off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Chris Stratton during the fifth inning …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Jack Etkin / UPI:   Colorado Rockies try to complete sweep of San Francisco Giants
Associated Press:
Yan Gomes' grand slam helps Cleveland Indians rally past Kansas City Royals, 6-4  —  The Indians lead the American League with eight grand slams and Gomes' blast was their second in two nights.  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Yan Gomes hit a grand slam in the sixth inning and the Cleveland Indians rallied …
RELATED:
Roy Parry / Orlando Sentinel:
Kansas City Royals sign UF pitcher Brady Singer, team's first-round pick  —  Eustis High alum and former UF standout pitcher Brady Singer said he hopes to help guide the Kansas City Royals to the World Series.  (Kansas City Royals via Twitter)  —  Former UF pitcher Brady Singer is well known for his competitive nature.
Toronto Sun:
Dodgers ready to keep flexing muscles vs. Pirates  —  LOS ANGELES — The Pittsburgh Pirates are undecided on a starter for Wednesday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and volunteers might be hard to come by.  —  The Dodgers' offense is coming off a productive June when they hit 55 home runs …
RELATED:
Alden GonzalezESPN / ESPN:   Max Muncy continues blistering pace with 2-HR night, upping total to 20
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
July shocker: A's may have staved off annual trade dumps  —  OAKLAND - The running joke around the Oakland Athletics at this time of year is that any veteran having a good season should keep his bags packed.  —  On the way to finishing last in the AL West each of the last three years …
RELATED:
Janie McCauley / Toronto Sun:   Jed Lowrie's three-run double rallies A's past Padres 6-2
Toronto Sun:
White Sox try to ride momentum versus Reds  —  The slumping Chicago White Sox are playing a team that didn't give up on its season despite a terrible start, so maybe they decided that was a pretty good strategy to adopt.  —  The White Sox could have easily given up on their Tuesday night game …
Discussion: MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:   White Sox's Daniel Palka makes ‘power’ move up rookie home run board
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds manager Jim Riggleman ejected after umpire told him to ‘do your job’  —  Trailing by four runs in the top of the 12th inning Tuesday, Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman attempted to signal an intentional walk from the dugout.  —  Holding up four fingers …
ESPN:
Rays' Gomez takes bat to water cooler after striking out  —  Carlos Gomez provided some Fourth of July fireworks in the Tampa Bay Rays' dugout Wednesday, destroying a water cooler in a display of frustration after striking out in Wednesday's game against the Marlins.
Discussion: Deadspin
ESPN:
Roundtable: What stands out in the standings on July 4?  —  Before lighting up the grill, reaching for a cold beverage or looking up for fireworks on the Fourth of July, there's one tradition that should sit atop every baseball fan's holiday to-do list: checking the MLB standings.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Heat is on the Cardinals - and manager Mike Matheny feels it the most  —  PHOENIX - The good folks of St. Louis can feel it.  They sense it.  And they can certainly see it.  —  Groundhog Day.  —  The Cardinals, one of baseball's proudest and most prestigious franchises …
 
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 More News: 
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Red Sox Activate Tyler Thornburg
Discussion: Al's Ramblings
Larry Fleisher / UPI:
Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees try to keep doing right thing
Matt Ehalt / Daily Record:
Ranking all the NY Mets' blown saves in 2018 from worst to least hurtful
Discussion: NorthJersey.com
ESPN:
Yankees' Gardner not pleased with pace-of-play fines
Star Tribune:
Twins are ready to be sellers at the MLB trade deadline, sources say
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
The secret to Rays 16-inning success vs. Marlins
Discussion: DRaysBay
 Earlier Picks: 
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Darick Hall and Austin Listi blasting homers at Reading
Associated Press:
MLB: Wade LeBlanc gets an extension
Discussion: Lookout Landing
UPI:
Lorenzo Cain not yet able as Brewers, Twins close out series
Discussion: Brew Crew Ball
Kevin Sherrington / Dallas Morning News:
Trading Shin-Soo Choo would help to ‘Free Willie.’ Now only $40 million stands in the way.
Discussion: Lone Star Ball
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs schedule quirk sets up enjoyable month of day baseball at Wrigley Field
 

 
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