Top News:
Bradford DoolittleESPN / ESPN:
Way-too-early Red Sox-Indians playoff preview — Six weeks remain in the 2018 regular season, then all trackers roll back to zero and the wonderful anarchy of the postseason begins. How will this October look? We don't know. Much is left to be settled between now and the end of September.
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Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
MLB power rankings: Can red-hot Rockies keep climbing up NL West at Coors Field? — In the Colorado Rockies' 25-year history, the only thing harder than finding success is sustaining it. — They've made just four playoff appearances, the first and second separated by a dozen years and countless moments of Coors Field indigestion.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Reliever Steve Cishek provides control in the Cubs' mercurial pitching staff — Chicago Tribune — All was not lost for the Cubs in last winter's free-agent pitching sweepstakes. — While the team awaits the results of an examination on Yu Darvish's right elbow and decides whether …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
'It's grind time:' Cubs facing a stretch of 23 games without a day off
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
3 things we learned from the Cubs-Pirates series
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Scuffling Cubs offense needs to be better than it has been since break
Scuffling Cubs offense needs to be better than it has been since break
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Is Victor Alcantara a thing? What we learned about the Detroit Tigers — MINNEAPOLIS — That was a tough series, for the Detroit Tigers and for those who watched the games. — This is the American League Central division these days, save the Indians. Remember, the Twins attacked …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Giancarlo Stanton could get some closure in Miami as Yankees slugger adamant he wants to play against Marlins — Giancarlo Stanton did not take the dismantling of the Marlins quietly. The slugger was pointed in his comments to new team part-owner Derek Jeter about giving the old Marlins …
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Daily Record:
New York Yankees by-the-numbers for Monday, August 20 — NEW YORK - While we're waiting for the update on Didi Gregorius's left heel injury - as well as trying to figure out exactly when Aaron Judge will return to the Yankees lineup - here's some by-the-numbers for a Monday:
ESPN:
Power Rankings: Sizzling sluggers shake things up — This week, there were some things you probably know are not about to change. The Red Sox are a unanimous No. 1 again, which isn't a surprise. And the Yankees, Astros and Indians are still all piled up behind them …
Toronto Sun:
Cardinals-Dodgers Preview — LOS ANGELES — With some newfound momentum gained during a successful homestand, the St. Louis Cardinals will now take their positive energy on the road. — The Dodgers have been searching for consistency in August but appear to be feeling confident …
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Joe Harris / Associated Press:
Chacin pitches 6 scoreless, Brewers beat Cardinals 2-1
Chacin pitches 6 scoreless, Brewers beat Cardinals 2-1
Discussion:
True Blue LA, Brew Crew Ball and MLB Baseball News …
Associated Press:
Cabrera hits grand slam as Indians beat Orioles 8-0 — The Cleveland Indians showed off their power and pitching Sunday. — CLEVELAND (AP) - The Cleveland Indians showed off their power and pitching Sunday. — Melky Cabrera hit a grand slam to cap a six-run fourth inning …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
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Associated Press:
Cubs to face Pirates in 2019 Little League Classic — The Cubs will face Pittsburgh in next year's Little League Classic. — The game will be held at Bowman Field on Aug. 18, 2019. The Cubs and Pirates will attend Little League World Series games earlier in the day.
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Rick Eymer / Associated Press:
Verlander 200th W, Astros 5 HRs, top A's 9-4 to avoid sweep — The Astros won for the second time in nine games. The Athletics had won 13 of their past 16 games to draw even with Houston. — OAKLAND, Calif. — Justin Verlander pitched just well enough to earn his 200th career win …
Discussion:
Star Tribune and MLB Baseball News …
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David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Watch out, Astros: A's are in AL West race to stay
Sarah Langs / ESPN:
The 100s tracker: Can Red Sox stay on record-setting pace? — The 100-win pace club is dwindling. The Astros are now on pace for just 97 wins, knocking them out of the club. That would still be tied for third most in a season in franchise history but would still leave them short of joining the club.
R.J. Anderson / CBSSports.com:
Nun throws out the first pitch before the Royals-White Sox game — Sister Mary Jo Sobieck delivered a fine enough lob after showing some tricks up her sleeve — The Chicago White Sox lost at home on Saturday night to the lowly Kansas City Royals. Worry not about the collective spirit …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Minor League Ball
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Charles Odumthe / Associated Press:
Rockies stay hot in Atlanta … Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland) — TODD KIRKLAND … Colorado Rockies left fielder Gerardo Parra …
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Associated Press:
Urena throws 1st complete game, Marlins rout Nationals 12-1 — MIAMI - Jose Urena made the most of his borrowed time, pitching a two-hitter for his first complete game in the majors and leading the Miami Marlins over the Washington Nationals 12-1 on Sunday.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and baseballmusings.com
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Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Nationals may have reached point where their season can't be saved
Nationals may have reached point where their season can't be saved
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Steve Buffery / Toronto Sun:
Damn the ‘idiots’: Blue Jays feel Hernandez will develop into a solid outfielder — NEW YORK — Blue Jays first base coach Tim Leiper, who is also in charge of working with the team's outfielders, was asked prior to Sunday afternoon's game at Yankee Stadium about fans and media types …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Last Slide — SAN DIEGO - From April through September, it can be hard to get anyone in baseball to call a game a must-win - at least not until it's already been won. Even then it can be tough, evidenced by the Diamondbacks' lack of grand proclamations after their 4-3 …