Top News:
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Tyler Chatwood takes walk to Cubs bullpen after Cole Hamels trade — CHICAGO — The major league leader in walks is headed to the bullpen as Chicago Cubs righty Tyler Chatwood lost his starting spot Saturday in favor of newly acquired lefty Cole Hamels. — “Such a professional,” …
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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
Joe Harris / Associated Press:
DeJong, Molina lead Cardinals to a 5-2 win over Cubs — ST. LOUIS (AP) In only his second season, Paul DeJong is comfortable batting third. — DeJong had three hits and three RBIs, Yadier Molina also had three hits and drove in a run, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 5-2 …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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?
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Tyler Chatwood heading to Cubs bullpen with Cole Hamels set to make debut Wednesday
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' former Rangers treasure reunion with Cole Hamels
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
No target date for Kris Bryant's return: 'I'm trying to be smart about it'
No target date for Kris Bryant's return: 'I'm trying to be smart about it'
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and MLB Baseball News …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman was the West Coast's Mariano Rivera — He was saving games when most of the country was sleeping. — He was becoming one of the greatest closers in baseball history despite his own general manager refusing to watch him. — He was the West Coast version of Mariano Rivera.
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Toronto Sun:
Diamondbacks hope to take advantage of games vs. Padres — SAN DIEGO — Opportunity is knocking for the Arizona Diamondbacks in the form of the San Diego Padres. — Following the Diamondbacks' 6-2 victory over the Padres Friday night, the Diamondbacks have 57 games remaining on the regular season.
Bernie Wilson / The Charlotte Observer:
Greinke wins 7th straight decision, Diamondbacks cruise 6-2
Greinke wins 7th straight decision, Diamondbacks cruise 6-2
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Scott Gleeson / USA Today:
Royals' Jakob Junis addresses ‘crazy’ tweets from Yankees fans after injuring Aaron Judge — Kansas City Royals pitcher Jakob Junis received an onslaught of threats and hateful rhetoric over social media shortly after he unintentionally hit Yankees superstar Aaron Judge in the right arm early in the Yankees' 7-2 win on Thursday.
Discussion:
The Athletic and MLB Baseball News …
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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 …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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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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
Keith LawESPN Senior / ESPN:
How well did Phillies, Brewers shore up their infields? — With the pace of deadline deals already picking up, Keith Law provides his analysis of a stack of recent transactions: the Philadelphia Phillies' acquisition of infielder Asdrubal Cabrera from the New York Mets for Franklyn Kilome …
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Mike Berardino / Twin Cities:
Brian Dozier on the radar for Indians, Giants as trade deadline approaches
Brian Dozier on the radar for Indians, Giants as trade deadline approaches
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and McCovey Chronicles
UPI:
Detroit Tigers in sell mode, Cleveland Indians already buying — DETROIT — Manager Ron Gardenhire says he's taking advantage of the fact that Detroit's front office is in Cooperstown, N.Y., this weekend to observe the induction of right-hander Jack Morris and shortstop Alan Trammell into baseball's Hall of Fame.
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Toronto Sun:
Astros rely on depth against Rangers — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros have quality depth throughout their 40-man roster, with the opener of their series against the Texas Rangers offering the latest test of their accumulation of talent. — With second baseman Jose Altuve (right knee discomfort) …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox face Blue Jays right-hander making first big-league start — Chicago Tribune — The Blue Jays had planned to start J.A. Happ on Saturday against the White Sox. But they traded him to the Yankees, opening a slot for right-hander John Axford to make his first major-league start.
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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 …
Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
AREA PRO BASEBALL UPDATE: Carroll's Hawkins finds power in first season with Sugar Land — With Calallen product Rob Zastryzny back on the Iowa Cubs roster along with the season-ending injuries of Anthony Banda (Sinton) and Jose Trevino (John Paul II), who each saw time in the MLB this season …
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
ESPN:
Dodgers activate Yasiel Puig from DL, back in lineup Saturday — The Los Angeles Dodgers activated right-fielder Yasiel Puig from the disabled list Saturday. — Puig, who missed 15 games with a right oblique strain, in the lineup and batting seventh in Saturday's game against the Braves in Atlanta.