Top News:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
This just might be the best Red Sox team ... ever — This fascinates me, more than it probably should: Since the advent of the 162-game schedule, the Boston Red Sox have never won 100 games. Of course, many franchises have failed to achieve that mark, but it's interesting in Boston's case …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Martin Fennelly / Tampa Bay Times:
Worst-to-first 2008 Rays set the standard for teams that followed — ST. PETERSBURG — There is a new set of young ballplayers at Tropicana Field, but no one knows if they'll ever take the franchise back to the postseason, or if they'll ever play in a new ballpark, or if there will ever be a new ballpark, for that matter.
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Yankees need to regroup in a hurry after Red Sox's blowout win — BOSTON — Like an out-of-control snowball tumbling wildly down a mountain, the New York Yankees cascaded toward a 15-7 blowout loss to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday thanks to an avalanche of mental errors and moments of uninspired, lackluster play.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Over the Monster, Beyond the Box Score, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News … and Minor League Ball
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Chance Adams: Three things to know about New York Yankees' rookie starter — BOSTON - Here's three things to know about Yankees' rookie right-hander Chance Adams, who makes his MLB debut on Saturday afternoon against the Red Sox at Fenway Park: — Arizona connection
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Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
Yankees' Chance Adams to make MLB debut Saturday vs. Red Sox — BOSTON — The New York Yankees will call up right-hander Chance Adams as they look for him to make a spot start Saturday. — EDITOR'S PICKS — After two straight shoddy performances, including Thursday's blowout loss at Fenway …
Kirk Meyer / New York Daily News:
Yankees call up Chance Adams to start Saturday's crucial game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park
Mike Axisa / CBSSports.com:
The middle of the Yankees' vaunted bullpen has suddenly become a weakness
The middle of the Yankees' vaunted bullpen has suddenly become a weakness
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Fox Sports:
Morales, Hauschild key Blue Jays' 7-3 win over Mariners — SHARE URL EMAIL FBMSNGR WHATSAPP SMS — SEATTLE (AP) Mike Hauschild signed his Blue Jays contract a half-hour before and then came on to pitch six impressive innings of relief in his first game in the majors in more than 15 months.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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Toronto Sun:
Shawn Kelley ready to move on from Nationals after feeling misunderstood over glove-spiking incident
National Post / Toronto Sun:
Athletes' Twitter troubles not about scrubbing their feeds but inspiring better citizenship
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Sign Mike Hauschild
Blue Jays Sign Mike Hauschild
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Brad Ziegler becomes first Arizona player to use D-backs' bullpen cart — PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks brought back an old tradition this season with a bullpen cart. One problem: None of the Diamondbacks wanted to use it. — Brad Ziegler changed that when he entered the game …
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John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds notes: Mahle sent to Triple-A, Schebler returned from rehab after struggling to throw — WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rookie right-hander Tyler Mahle looked lost in his last four starts with the Reds. — The club decided to send him to Triple-A Louisville to find himself.
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John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds 2017 top pick Hunter Greene shut down for the season with an elbow strain — Reds No. 2 pick Hunter Greene is in Goodyear, Arizona, for his first experience at spring training The Enquirer/Adam Baum — WASHINGTON, D.C. - Right-hander Hunter Greene, the Reds' top pick …
Mike Sheets / ESPN:
Daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Saturday — Saturday brings us a full slate of action that features plenty of notable matchups. The Yankees and Red Sox face off in Game 3 of a four-game set, the Dodgers and Astros meet in a rematch of the 2017 World Series …
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Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' Danny Valencia enjoys his MLB pitching debut and says there's more where that came from
Orioles' Danny Valencia enjoys his MLB pitching debut and says there's more where that came from
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles, Cashner run into a buzz saw in Texas, lose to Rangers, 17-8
Orioles, Cashner run into a buzz saw in Texas, lose to Rangers, 17-8
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Bob Ford / Philly.com:
If Phillies front office doesn't believe, you shouldn't either | Bob Ford — The long haul of baseball's regular season has only two months to go, and I still don't know whether to take the Phillies seriously. It's probably just about time to decide. — The standings insist they are contenders …
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Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Maikel Franco's moon shot keeps Phillies in first place
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Holland released; Lyons to Memphis; Bader doesn't start — PITTSBURGH • One of the two relievers the Cardinals designated for assignment a week ago found a new home Friday and the other was released. — Lefthander Tyler Lyons has been outrighted to Class AAA Memphis after going through waivers.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Is positionless baseball MLB's next big thing? — The team whose work at the trade deadline most intrigued me was easily the Milwaukee Brewers, who made not one but two moves that led to a knee-jerk reaction of, “huh?” Believe it or not, that's not a criticism.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Jesse Yomtov / USA Today:
Rangers' Rougned Odor becomes first player in history to accomplish this feat — Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor might be the last player you might expect to set a record with walks, but he did just that on Thursday night. — In a 17-8 win against the Orioles …
Doug Padilla / Associated Press:
Bellinger, Pederson, Puig power Dodgers in rout of Brewers — Los Angeles Dodgers' Cody Bellinger (35) is congratulated by Justin Turner, left, and Manny Machado after hitting a grand slam, as Milwaukee Brewers catcher Erik Kratz watches during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Cubs may regret not adding lefty reliever before trade deadline — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have four lefty starters they like, but may not have even one in the bullpen they can count on. Did they miss the boat as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline passed? — EDITOR'S PICKS
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Tommy La Stella starts at third against Padres — Chicago Tribune — Tommy La Stella starts at third base and Javier Baez moves to shortstop Friday in the second game of the Cubs' four-game series against the Padres. — The Cubs retained their one-game lead in the NL Central …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …