Top News:
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
The AL East race could end this weekend — BOSTON — A harsh reality is beginning to set in for the New York Yankees: This might not be their year to win the American League East. — As they continue to trudge through a second half that so far has been defined by mediocrity …
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Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — OAKLAND, Calif. — It wasn't until last Aug. 30 when the Detroit Tigers' rebuilding process shifted into top gear. — On that day, an off-day which would chart the team's course for the next five years in good ways and bad, the Tigers first sent left fielder Justin Upton …
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 …
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
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
Chance Adams: Three things to know about New York Yankees' rookie starter
Mike Axisa / CBSSports.com:
The middle of the Yankees' vaunted bullpen has suddenly become a weakness
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and South Side Sox
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Kellan Olson / Arizona Sports:
D-backs manager Torey Lovullo will not manage team Friday due to illness — Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo will not manage the team on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants due to illness, the team announced Friday. — Lovullo saw a doctor on Friday and the decision was made he would be staying at home.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Baseball News …
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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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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Andrew Miller throws scoreless inning of relief for Cleveland Indians against Los Angeles Angels — Despite missing nearly two months because of a knee injury, reliever Andrew Miller threw a scoreless inning for the Cleveland Indians against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field Friday night.
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San Francisco Chronicle:
Indians activate reliever Andrew Miller from disabled list — Andrew Miller has watched every game for two months. He's now ready to help the Cleveland Indians accomplish something special. — Miller was activated from the 60-day disabled list Friday after being out because of inflammation in his right knee.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Emotional Shane Victorino retires from baseball as a member of the Phillies — Shane Victorino vowed he would be brief. He made no such promises about not getting emotional. — And so, as the former Phillies centerfielder wrapped up his short speech Friday night at Citizens Bank Park …
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Scott Lauber / Philly.com:
Pat Gillick believes building Phillies' 2008 World Series winner was his ticket to Hall of Fame — Pat Gillick already had built two World Series-winning teams in Toronto and a 116-win club in Seattle. Still, he felt like his legacy was not nearly complete.
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:
Viva El Birdos and MLB Trade Rumors
ESPN:
Cards' Dexter Fowler fractures foot — A tough season for St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler got even worse Friday night. — Fowler left St. Louis' 7-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth inning with a left foot injury. X-rays taken later showed a slight fracture …
Alden GonzalezESPN / ESPN:
Retired Andre Ethier honored by Dodgers for stellar career — LOS ANGELES — Andre Ethier approached this offseason with the intent of playing. He took batting practice regularly, worked out vigorously and waited for the opportunity that ultimately never materialized.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
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:
MLB Baseball News …, Lookout Landing, Bluebird Banter and baseballmusings.com
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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 …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
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 …
Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
New White Sox catcher: Prospects Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech are ‘ready to go’ — Chicago Tribune — Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech remain in the minors. But, hey, at least someone from Triple-A Charlotte got promoted Friday — catcher Dustin Garneau.
