Top News:
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 — ARLINGTON — Negative Nellies never turn down a chance to look on the dark side. Especially a certain segment of fans. — Case in point: Tuesday night. — The last-place Rangers were facing the first-place Astros at Globe Life Park.
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News and Lone Star Ball
Steve Habel / UPI:
Houston Astros hope to catch a break versus Texas Rangers — Houston has arguably the best overall pitching staff in the major leagues but has run into a big problem because of injury. — The Astros are struggling to find someone to handle those standout pitchers after losing another catcher …
Chandler Rome / Houston Chronicle:
Astros hang on to beat Rangers in series opener
Astros hang on to beat Rangers in series opener
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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 …
Stephen Pianovich / UPI:
Phillies' Aaron Nola goes for 11th win against Orioles — Aaron Nola will get to pitch in front of his home fans in Philadelphia a final time Wednesday before he likely gets the chance to pitch in the All-Star Game later this month. — Nola will be on the mound as the Phillies close out a brief …
Larry Fleisher / UPI:
Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees try to keep doing right thing — NEW YORK — If there is a common theme for the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees through two games at sweltering Yankee Stadium, it is a matter of inches for fly balls hit to right field and right-center field.
RELATED:
Wallace Matthews / New York Times:
Yankees Display Their Flaws, but Still Beat the Braves
Yankees Display Their Flaws, but Still Beat the Braves
Discussion:
Talking Chop and MLB Baseball News …
Justin Tasch / New York Daily News:
Giancarlo Stanton dusts himself off after crashing into wall, then plays hero for Yankees
Justin Tasch / New York Daily News:
Giancarlo Stanton adds insurance with late home run as Yankees top Braves, 8-5
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Gleyber Torres out of Yankees lineup with hip stiffness
Gleyber Torres out of Yankees lineup with hip stiffness
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News … and Talking Chop
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:
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
Shohei Ohtan Returns To The Los Angeles Angels As Their Designated Hitter
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs juggle lineup against Tigers; recall Victor Caratini while designating Chris Gimenez — Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses the team's confidence level after beating the Tigers on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
RELATED:
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:
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
What's wrong with the Nationals?
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 …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Bucs Dugout
RELATED:
Alden GonzalezESPN / ESPN:
Max Muncy continues blistering pace with 2-HR night, upping total to 20
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:
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Francisco Lindor continues to deliver in the clutch for Cleveland Indians
Francisco Lindor continues to deliver in the clutch for Cleveland Indians
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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:
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks vs. St. Louis Cardinals
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 …
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — CHICAGO - It was around this time last year when, every five days, speculation would arise about whether Justin Verlander was making his final start with the Detroit Tigers. — Now, as a rite of passage of sorts, that speculation swirls every time Michael Fulmer takes the mound.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, MLB Trade Rumors, Bless You Boys and MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Tom Musick / UPI:
Chicago Cubs hope to keep rolling vs. Detroit Tigers
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:
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.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven and FanGraphs Baseball
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs schedule quirk sets up enjoyable month of day baseball at Wrigley Field — Photos from the Cubs-Tigers game at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, July 3, 2018. — Chicago Tribune — Strange but true: The Cubs find themselves in the middle of a monthlong stretch with no night games scheduled at Wrigley Field.
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 …