Astros' Alex Bregman rips umpires with profane rant after fan-interference call  —  Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman responded with a string of expletives Wednesday when asked for his reaction to his sixth-inning triple, which was later overturned due to fan interference.

Astros Acquire Martin Maldonado  —  The Astros have struck a deal with the division-rival Angels to acquire backstop Martin Maldonado, as Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group first reported (via Twitter).  Young lefty Patrick Sandoval will go to the Angels along with $250K in international pool money.

Mahle, Reds to face another rookie in Phillies' Suarez  —  The Cincinnati Reds certainly have seen this before.  In fact, they keep seeing it and seeing it.  —  For the third time in four games Thursday, Cincinnati will go up against a pitcher making his first major league start.

Cubs fan saved from serious injury at Wrigley Field thanks to wearing bucket on his head  —  One 19-year-old Chicago Cubs fan decided to wear a bucket — yes, a bucket — on his head during Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.  —  And as it turns out …

David Bote's 2-run homer, Anthony Rizzo's walk-off HR lift Cubs to 7-6 win over Diamondbacks  —  David Bote, Anthony Rizzo and Joe Maddon discuss the Cubs' walk-off win against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, July 26, 2018.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune

Buy or sell?  Strasburg's injury leaves Nats scrambling at deadline  —  Back in February, manager Davey Martinez brought camels to spring training, a living breathing metaphor intended to help the Washington Nationals get over the playoff hump.  Five months later, Stephen Strasburg's injury woes …

Olney: Archer?  Thor?  What the heck are the Padres thinking?  —  Over the next five days, deals based in logic will continue to go down.  The Dodgers, having already added Manny Machado to plug the hole created the Corey Seager injury, will add another reliever.

Is it time to trade deGrom?  The Mets have a big choice to make  —  I'm not advocating that the Mets trade Jacob deGrom.  I'm not advocating that the Mets keep Jacob deGrom.  This isn't a hot take.  There are plenty of those all over talk radio or the internet or your local bar …

Phillies considering a promotion for Roman Quinn  —  CINCINNATI - Roman Quinn returned to triple A this week for the first time since suffering yet another injury and his next stop could be the majors as the Phillies may add him Friday to supplement their shortened bench.

Albies set to return as Braves take on Dodgers  —  It appears the Atlanta Braves' offense will get a lift, just in the nick of time.  —  The Braves are expected to get second baseball Ozzie Albies back in the lineup when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to town to begin a four-game series at SunTrust Park.

Source: Cubs increase effort to acquire Cole Hamels  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are making a “strong push” for Texas Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels, according to a source familiar with the situation.  —  The Cubs stepped up their efforts on Thursday after losing out on lefty J.A. Happ …

Joe Maddon on talk about trading for a pitcher: 'I haven't got one name'  —  Chicago Tribune  —  If any trade talks involving a starting pitcher are percolating, it's news to Cubs manager Joe Maddon.  —  With Tuesday's 3 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline approaching, Maddon …

Blackmon's homer in 9th gives Rockies 3-2 win over Astros  —  DENVER (AP) Charlie Blackmon didn't have to wait long for a shot at redemption.  —  The night after Blackmon made a costly error in center field, he hit a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning …

Law's trade take: Average-ish Happ a low-cost upgrade for Yanks  —  J.A. Happ had a great first year on his three-year deal with the Jays, but he has gone backward every year since and is now just an average-ish starter who happened to have two disastrous starts right before the All-Star break.