Top News:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' Cole Hamels doubles his pleasure with record-setting defense — Photos from the Cubs-Pirates game on on Aug. 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh. — Chicago Tribune — Even at 34 years old and with 13 years of major-league service, Cole Hamels is learning about the talent of his new Cubs teammates at a rapid pace.
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Kyle Schwarber homers, Cubs turn 7 double plays in 1-0 win over Pirates — Chicago Tribune — The script has been far from ideal, but Yu Darvish has taken note of all that has gone into the Cubs' hold on first place in the National League Central. — “I think our best record is achievable …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
With Cubs clinging to NL Central lead, their rotation remains in a state of flux — Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish speaks about his rehab assignment on Aug. 17, 2018 (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune — Even precautionary measures couldn't prevent the Cubs from suffering another setback to their delicate rotation.
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune and MLB Baseball News …
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Record-tying 7 double plays, 5 induced by Cole Hamels, propel Cubs' win — PITTSBURGH — It was only appropriate the Chicago Cubs completed their 1-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday by turning a double play to end the game, as it was their seventh of the evening, tying an MLB record.
Discussion:
ABC News
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: A proposal to save bullpens without using position players
Column: A proposal to save bullpens without using position players
Discussion:
Orlando Sentinel
Janie McCauley / Toronto Sun:
Matt Olson homers in 10th, A's pull within game of Astros — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) With September approaching, the Oakland Athletics are showing the baseball world what they believed from the start: This group and its young sluggers are ready to make a playoff push.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and The Crawfish Boxes
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Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Here's how the no-name Oakland A's are giving baseball's super teams a run for their money — Perhaps the best story in baseball right now is also the best-kept secret in baseball right now. — We refer to the Oakland A's, or maybe more fittingly the Oakland Phantoms …
Toronto Sun:
Yankees' Severino tries to get back into groove vs. Jays — NEW YORK — One of the many questions surrounding the New York Yankees as they slog through mid-August is the state of Luis Severino and his recent performances. — Severino will be five days removed from his shortest start …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Jose Ramirez homers, leads Cleveland Indians to victory over Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field — On the strength of a two-run home run from Jose Ramirez in the first inning of play, the Cleveland Indians topped the Baltimore Orioles, 2-1, in their series opener at Progressive Field Friday night.
Discussion:
Plain Dealer
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Steve Herrick / Star Tribune:
Carrasco gets 15th win, Ramirez homers as Indians top O's
Carrasco gets 15th win, Ramirez homers as Indians top O's
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Harvey Valentine / Associated Press:
Scherzer picks up 16th win, Nationals beat Marlins 8-2 — WASHINGTON (AP) - Max Scherzer is using all his tools to help keep the Nationals' playoff hopes alive. — Scherzer pitched six scoreless innings, doubled and scored twice as the Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 8-2 on Friday night for his major league-leading 16th win.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers had the depth to survive key injuries in the past; Kenley Jansen is a different story — When the New York Mets spent the first pick of the 1961 expansion draft on a catcher, manager Casey Stengel explained why. — “You gotta have a catcher,” he said, “or you're gonna have a lot of passed balls.”
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Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen and manager Dave Roberts have their fingers crossed for Monday
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen and manager Dave Roberts have their fingers crossed for Monday
Discussion:
DodgerBlue.com
Coley HarveyESPN / ESPN:
What Aaron Judge's absence means for the rest of his season — NEW YORK — Aaron Judge has willingly embraced his current role as the New York Yankees' big-bodied hype man and cheerleader on the bench. — But he's long past ready to retire from it. — When the right fielder was taken …
Laura Albanese / Newsday:
Cy Young candidate Aaron Nola outpitches Noah Syndergaard in Mets' loss to Phillies — Philadelphia ace allows one run and three hits in seven innings, striking out 11. — PHILADELPHIA — The Mets helped build the case for a National League Cy Young Award candidate on Friday.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Corey Seidman / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Phillies run all over Noah Syndergaard; Aaron Nola earns 14th win
Phillies run all over Noah Syndergaard; Aaron Nola earns 14th win
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, CBSSports.com and NBCSports.com
Marly RiveraESPN / ESPN:
How far have the Phillies come? Ask pair who started at the bottom — The Philadelphia Phillies have been through darker periods before. After all, they had a record-setting steak of 16 consecutive losing seasons on their way to becoming the first team in professional sports to lose 10,000 games.
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.
Discussion:
South Side Sox, Royals Review and MLB Baseball News …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Hitting refresh button may be Chris Sale's key to winning 1st Cy Young Award — Chicago Tribune — Red Sox ace Chris Sale has a career ERA of 2.82 or lower for April, May, June and July. But the number rises to 3.16 in August and 3.78 in September, suggesting he tires as the season wears on.
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Orioles fall 50 games below .500, incredible 50½ games behind Red Sox — The 2017 World Series teams are struggling with injuries and depth. Can they make it back to the postseason? USA TODAY Sports — CONNECT — The Baltimore Orioles' miserable season struck a new low.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — SAN DIEGO - The Arizona Diamondbacks won another game they ought to have won, beating up on the last-place San Diego Padres by a score of 9-4 on Friday night. The evening had a different feel in a far corner of the visitors' clubhouse, where Robbie Ray stood in front of his locker without answers.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — SAN DIEGO - Twice in the early innings on Thursday night, a Padres hitter scorched a ball to left field, and twice the Diamondbacks' David Peralta raced to make a play, the first ball taking him into the gap, the second one back toward the wall.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit