Top News:
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Why Urena hitting Acuna needs to be a wake-up call for MLB — Headhunting, knockdowns, chin music, brushbacks, rib-roasting — the practice has been around so long, there are all sorts of terms for it. In the 21st century, there is only word we need: unacceptable.
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David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Real or Not? Rockies games are must-see television — After the shenanigans from Jose Urena on Wednesday, it was a less eventful day on Thursday across the majors ... Dr. Feelgood: Thankfully, Ronald Acuna Jr. was back in the lineup for the Braves after Urena plunked him in the elbow.
Discussion:
Halos Heaven
Steve Rosenbloom / Chicago Tribune:
Column: MLB turns cowardly and stupid in punishment of Jose Urena for intentionally drilling Ronald Acuna
Column: MLB turns cowardly and stupid in punishment of Jose Urena for intentionally drilling Ronald Acuna
Discussion:
Associated Press
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
MLB suspends Jose Urena for six games after intentionally plunking Ronald Acuna Jr.
MLB suspends Jose Urena for six games after intentionally plunking Ronald Acuna Jr.
Discussion:
Talking Chop, Federal Baseball and AZ Snake Pit
Daily Record:
NL Cy Young race likely will be a battle between NL East aces — Jacob deGrom on his outing in the 2-1 loss to Atlanta Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt — With the season winding down, the top candidates are starting to emerge in the awards races. Several should come down to the wire.
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — SAN DIEGO - Clay Buchholz does not throw hard anymore.
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
Buchholz pitches five-hitter, Diamondbacks beat Padres 5-1
Buchholz pitches five-hitter, Diamondbacks beat Padres 5-1
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
GM Mike Hazen: Diamondbacks inconsistent but still in position to strike
GM Mike Hazen: Diamondbacks inconsistent but still in position to strike
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Eddie MatzESPN Senior / ESPN:
Injury to Jeremy Hellickson latest blow to Nats' pitching staff — WASHINGTON — The struggling Washington Nationals have lost another pitcher to injury. — Starter Jeremy Hellickson will be placed on the disabled list after an MRI revealed a sprain to his right wrist area.
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Jeff Bidwell / WPSD Local 6WPSD Local 6:
Harper drives in 3, Nationals beat Cardinals 5-4
Harper drives in 3, Nationals beat Cardinals 5-4
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, Viva El Birdos and Brew Crew Ball
Chicago Tribune:
The many sides of Joe Maddon: The best moments from ‘The Joe Show’ — Photos of Joe Maddon, the 2015 NL Manager of the Year. — Chicago Tribune — It's difficult to contemplate life without Joe Maddon, but one day he'll be gone and we'll all have a lot less to talk about.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Kris Bryant progressing toward Sept. 1 return — or earlier
Cubs' Kris Bryant progressing toward Sept. 1 return — or earlier
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Matt Eppers / USA Today:
Texas Rangers turn rare triple play vs. Los Angeles Angels not seen in 106 years — The 2017 World Series teams are struggling with injuries and depth. Can they make it back to the postseason? USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT — The sixth triple play in Texas Rangers team history turned out to be an incredibly rare one.
Discussion:
Sporting News, SBNation.com, MLB Baseball News … and FOX 61
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Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Recapping the slam: An oral history of David Bote's big blast — PITTSBURGH — It'll be a night they'll tell their grandkids about, especially Chicago Cubs rookie David Bote. Last Sunday, on national television, Bote hit the only walk-off grand slam in baseball history in which a team …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Bob Brookover / Philly.com:
Phillies' Gabe Kapler is like a quarterback - you can always write about him | Bob Brookover — This space was used late last season to endorse Pete Mackanin's continuing presence as the Phillies manager. That column had so much influence over general manager Matt Klentak that he removed Mackanin …
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Paul Newberry / Associated Press:
Dahl does damage in win — Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran works in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) — JOHN BAZEMORE — ATLANTA — Colorado snapped Ronald Acuna Jr.'s home run streak …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Tyler Mason / Associated Press:
Forsythe gets 5 hits, Twins outslug Tigers in 15-8 win — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) All that Logan Forsythe has done since arriving in Minnesota is get hits. — The veteran infielder joined the Twins at the beginning of August in a trade that sent popular second baseman Brian Dozier to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Matt Davidson hitting cleanup for White Sox against Royals — his favorite opponent — Chicago Tribune — Matt Davidson is looking for a good weekend against the Royals. He's in the White Sox lineup Friday night against right-hander Jakob Junis, off whom he homered twice April 26 in Kansas City.
Associated Press:
Indians' Trevor Bauer has stress fracture in leg, to miss 4-6 weeks — CLEVELAND — Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer, one of the leading candidates for the AL Cy Young Award, will be out four to six weeks because of a stress fracture in his right leg.
ESPN:
Joey Votto (leg bruise) moved to 10-day DL — The Cincinnati Reds have placed first baseman Joey Votto on the 10-day disabled list with a right lower leg contusion, the team announced Friday. — Votto suffered the injury nearly two weeks ago when he was hit by a pitch from the Washington Nationals' Ryan Madson on Aug. 4.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Red Reporter
Joe Knowles / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo's staredown with Pedro Strop was a mind-meld moment — Chicago Tribune — Anthony Rizzo didn't have to say a word to reliever Pedro Strop. His look — reminiscent of Mr. Spock's Vulcan mind meld, without the touching — did all the talking necessary late in Thursday night's Cubs-Pirates game.
Matthew Moreno / DodgerBlue.com:
Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Believes Matt Kemp, Manny Machado And Max Muncy Are Each Poised For Breakouts At Plate — When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Manny Machado during the All-Star break they acquired one of the game's top talents who was in the midst of a career year.
Discussion:
The Good Phight