Top News:
Toronto Sun:
Retooling Cardnals aim for series win over Cubs — It may not necessarily be a white flag that the St. Louis Cardinals waved Friday, but the reshaping of their bullpen was a first step in admitting their priority lies with 2019 and not the final two months of 2018.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' former Rangers treasure reunion with Cole Hamels — Theo Epstein on new Cubs pitcher Cole Hamels: “His stuff is still there.” (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Kyle Hendricks could only laugh after noting that Cole Hamels will become the sixth former Ranger to play for the Cubs this season.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
No target date for Kris Bryant's return: 'I'm trying to be smart about it' — Chicago Tribune — Kris Bryant assured reporters that he will return to the Cubs this season while tamping down speculation that his ailing left shoulder will require offseason surgery.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Baseball News …
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Fastball command, success at Wrigley will be critical for Cole Hamels — ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs added a huge name, Cole Hamels, for their stretch run. But will it be the Hamels everyone remembers from his glory days in Philadelphia or the one with the highest ERA and OPS against in baseball since late June?
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Brewers acquire third baseman Mike Moustakas from Royals — The Brewers found the left-handed power hitter they sought, acquiring third baseman Mike Moustakas on Friday from the Royals to complete a second significant trade in two days as the club makes a push for its first playoff appearance since 2011.
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Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Brewers Acquire Mike Moustakas — The Brewers have lined up with the Royals on a deal that will bring third baseman Mike Moustakas to Milwaukee, as MLB.com's Jeffrey Flanagan first reported (via Twitter). Outfielder Brett Phillips and righty Jorge Lopez are going to Kansas City in return.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Beyond the Box Score, Brew Crew Ball, Royals Review and MLB Daily Dish
Vahe Gregorian / Kansas City Star:
Moustakas had to go, but deal underscores how Royals are stranded between eras
Moustakas had to go, but deal underscores how Royals are stranded between eras
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Larry Fleisher / UPI:
Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees to play two after rainout — NEW YORK — The sight of Aaron Judge wincing in pain after taking a fastball off his right wrist was enough to make New York Yankees fans cringe and hope for the best. — The Yankees announced after Thursday's game that Judge …
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Associated Press:
Royals-Yankees rained out, split doubleheader Saturday — NEW YORK (AP) — The game between the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees scheduled for Friday night was postponed because of rain. The game never started and was called a half-hour after it was supposed to begin.
Discussion:
CBS New York
Kirk Meyer / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge knows he dodged a bullet with wrist injury: ‘It could have been a lot worse’
Aaron Judge knows he dodged a bullet with wrist injury: ‘It could have been a lot worse’
Discussion:
Sporting News
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Aaron Boone: Yankees can still win without Aaron Judge
Aaron Boone: Yankees can still win without Aaron Judge
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News … and HotNewHipHop.com
Bernie Wilson / The Charlotte Observer:
Greinke wins 7th straight decision, Diamondbacks cruise 6-2 — SAN DIEGO — The Arizona Diamondbacks showed up with a purpose on Friday, a day after blowing a five-run lead and losing to the Chicago Cubs. — Zack Greinke won his seventh straight decision by holding San Diego to three hits …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — SAN DIEGO - For the second outing in a row, Zack Greinke gave the Diamondbacks an outing his teammates felt carried added significance. And for the second time in a row, Greinke gave the equivalent of a shoulder shrug in his postgame session with reporters.
Fox Sports:
Phillies get INF Cabrera from Mets for pitching prospect — CINCINNATI (AP) The NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies acquired infielder Asdrubal Cabrera from the New York Mets on Friday for Double-A right-hander Franklyn Kilome. — Cabrera was hitting .277 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs as the Mets' second baseman.
Discussion:
Minor League Ball and baseballmusings.com
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Wes Crosby / Star Tribune:
Freese 5 RBIs, single in 9th lifts Pirates over Mets 5-4
Freese 5 RBIs, single in 9th lifts Pirates over Mets 5-4
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Acquire Asdrubal Cabrera
Phillies Acquire Asdrubal Cabrera
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, MLB Baseball News …, Phillies Nation, MLB Daily Dish and The Good Phight
Toronto Sun:
Boston's Porcello aims for win No. 13 — BOSTON — Rick Porcello has hardly dominated Minnesota throughout his career. — But the right-hander did beat the Twins in Minnesota in June, and Saturday night he tries to do it again when the Red Sox face the Twins in Game 3 of the four-game series at Fenway Park.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Phil Miller / Star Tribune:
Twins rally, but lose to Boston on walk-off home run in 10th inning
Twins rally, but lose to Boston on walk-off home run in 10th inning
Discussion:
Over the Monster and MLB Baseball News …
Jerry CrasnickESPN Senior / ESPN:
Trade talk we're hearing: Twins could be deadline's next big seller
Trade talk we're hearing: Twins could be deadline's next big seller
Discussion:
Twinkie Town, Baseball Prospectus, MLB Baseball News …, AZ Snake Pit and MLB Daily Dish
Reuters:
Rangers sock it to Astros at Minute Maid Park — again — Robinson Chirinos slugged his third home run of the season against the Houston Astros and the visiting Texas Rangers continued that power display in the latter innings Friday, winning 11-2 win at Minute Maid Park.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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Brent W. New / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Freeland, Arenado help Rockies cool down A's 3-1 — Kyle Freeland threw six shutout innings, — Oakland Athletics with a 3-1 victory on Friday night. — Freeland (9-6) allowed five hits while striking out five, walking three and hitting a batter. Colorado's starting pitching is 6-0 with a 1.65 ERA at Coors Field in July.
Discussion:
Purple Row, Denver Post and Athletics Nation
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Dalton Johnson / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Matt Chapman motivated by Nolan Arenado's praise, 'I wanna do what he's done'
Matt Chapman motivated by Nolan Arenado's praise, 'I wanna do what he's done'
Discussion:
Purple Row and Athletics Nation
Patrick Rose / Associated Press:
Gurriel Jr. homers twice in Jays' 10-5 rout of White Sox — CHICAGO (AP) — Marcus Stroman might be watching the next emerging star in Toronto. — Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit two of Toronto's five home runs, Curtis Granderson led off the game with a homer and the Blue Jays beat the Chicago White Sox 10-5 on Friday night.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: 'I'm just the old crusty school guy who keeps running out there': Number-crunching nerds make Jon Lester laugh — Chicago Tribune — Cubs starter Jon Lester is good for a rant a week about baseball analytics, and they're always entertaining. — Lester ranked 61st in pitchers' WAR …
Eduardo A. Encina / Baltimore Sun:
Now in playoff race with Dodgers, Manny Machado says goodbye to Orioles and looks ahead — In his last eight months as an Oriole — dating to December's winter meetings when a trade first became a possibility — Manny Machado did everything he could to rise above the noise.
Discussion:
Camden Chat and MLB Trade Rumors
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Sources: Indians, Phillies among teams inquiring about availability of Joey Gallo — HOUSTON - As the Rangers seek creative ways to accelerate their rebuilding process, they must consider this conundrum: What to do about Joey Gallo? — While Gallo has struggled to hit for batting average …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, SBNation.com, CBSSports.com, NBCSports.com, Phillies Nation and Let's Go Tribe
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — SAN DIEGO - Third baseman Jake Lamb returned to Phoenix to undergo an MRI on the left shoulder he reinjured on Thursday afternoon in Chicago. — Club officials said the results were not immediately available, but with Lamb heading to the disabled list, he'll be out at least 10 days.
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