Column: Fun with Cole Hamels: Newest Cub doesn't like 6-man rotations Joe Maddon talked about  —  Chicago Tribune  —  As I've said for years, it's always “Snark Week” around here:  —  Are the Cubs getting the 2008 Cole Hamels who drilled Joe Maddon's Rays in the World Series?

Zach Britton pitches a scoreless eighth inning in Yankees debut  —  There was a ripple of pride through Washington Heights when it was announced that the Yankees has pulled off a trade for closer Zach Britton.  Known as the Little Dominican Republic, the Yankees were getting one of the family.

Brewers' Josh Hader booed by Giants fans in first road game since Twitter controversy  —  SAN FRANCISCO — In Josh Hader's first road game since his racist, misogynistic and anti-gay tweets were unearthed, the Brewers All-Star reliever received a reception far different from the standing ovation bestowed upon …

What makes each member of this HOF class a Hall of Famer  —  I'm a big Hall of Fame type, so I love that six players will officially get enshrined into Cooperstown this weekend.  Even better, it's six relatively recent stars who many of us enjoyed watching through the years …

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

Phillies future can't depend on Manny Machado leaving the Dodgers |  David Murphy  —  The worst-case scenario is the one that occurred.  Disregard what anybody has said that may suggest otherwise.  Farhan Zaidi.  John Middleton.  Manny Machado himself.  —  The Phillies' blueprint must …

Watch the 1984 Detroit Tigers come to life like never before  —  We unearthed thousands of Free Press photo negatives and one sports writer's score book to tell the tale of baseball's greats.  “Bless you, boys.”  Brian Kaufman, Detroit Free Press  —  CONNECT  —  One team.  One city.

Law trade take: Eovaldi helps Red Sox, Rockies add to pen and more  —  The Red Sox don't have many healthy prospects to trade right now, with most of their best guys on the disabled list, but they did manage to swing a deal for a very useful pitcher who fills an extremely specific need without giving …

On Deck: Blue Jays at White Sox  —  TORONTO BLUE JAYS at CHICAGO WHITE SOX  —  STARTING PITCHERS  —  RHP Marcus Stroman (3-7, 5.42 ERA) vs. RHP Reynaldo Lopez (4-8, 4.13 ERA)  —  Lopez is in his first full season in the bigs after pitching in both the majors and minors in 2016 and 2017.

Reds to give away Joey Votto Funko Pop! dolls Saturday, including gold versions  —  Saturday is sure to be a big night at Great American Ball Park.  —  The Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto Funko Pop!  Collectible doll giveaway - the first of its kind for the team - will take place in advance …

Hechavarria helps depleted Rays beat rebuilding Orioles 4-3  —  Adeiny Hechavarria singled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, and the  —  Baltimore Orioles 4-3 Thursday night in a matchup of teams in selling mode near the non-waiver trade deadline.

Braves Acquire Jonny Venters From Rays  —  The Rays have traded left-handed reliever Jonny Venters to the Braves in exchange for international bonus pool space, according to announcements from both teams.  Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports (on Twitter) that the Braves sent the minimum $250K to Tampa Bay in return for Venters.

Cincinnati Reds have three prospects in MLB Pipeline Top 20, more than any team  —  The Cincinnati Reds have more prospects than any other Major League Baseball team in MLB Pipeline's latest rankings of the top 20 in baseball.  —  Infielder Nick Senzel ranks fourth overall …

Astros land catcher Martin Maldonado in trade with Angels  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Houston Astros acquired catcher Martin Maldonado from the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday for left-hander Patrick Sandoval and $250,000 in international signing bonus pool allocation.

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 …