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:
MLB Baseball News … and 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
John Perrotto / Associated Press:
Frazier's RBI single in 8th lifts Pirates past Cardinals 7-6 — PITTSBURGH (AP) Chris Archer didn't make it past the fifth inning in his Pittsburgh Pirates' debut. — However, he still got a standing ovation when he was removed from the game. And his team pulled out a win, too.
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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 and Viva El Birdos
Bill Plaschke / Baltimore Sun:
Astros' silent approach to Roberto Osuna's domestic violence case shows hypocrisy in reigning World Series champions — Los Angeles Times sports writer Andy McCullough and columnist Bill Plaschke discuss the second half of the Dodgers' season and if they can make it to the World Series by just hitting.
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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:
MLB Baseball News …, The Crawfish Boxes and True Blue LA
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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Martin Fennelly / Tampa Bay Times:
Worst-to-first 2008 Rays set the standard for teams that followed
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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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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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
Doug Miller / Associated Press:
Borucki shines as Blue Jays beat Mariners, 7-2 — SEATTLE (AP) Ryan Borucki was tiring as he prepared to enter the eighth inning for the first time in his major league career. Fortunately, the Blue Jays' rookie left-hander had the boisterous assistance of a crowd packed with Canadians vacationing a bit south of the border in Seattle.
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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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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 …
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
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.
