Top News:
Gordon Wittenmyer / Cincinnati.com:
Joey Votto returns to Cincinnati Reds lineup for playoff push Sunday against Cardinals — Add one more big name to the Cincinnati Reds' growing list of reinforcements getting healthy enough quickly enough to return to the lineup during this weekend series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Charlie Goldsmith / Cincinnati.com:
Big game moves don't lead to a big hit in a Reds loss to the Cardinals — The MLB playoff race comes with a sense of urgency and leads to the types of aggressive moves that a manager wouldn't make in the dog days of the summer. Against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday …
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, Red Reporter, Redleg Nation, Bleacher Nation and DraftKings Network
Charlie Goldsmith / Cincinnati.com:
‘No mercy.’ Here's why the Cincinnati Reds are looking forward to the stretch run — The Cincinnati Reds took off for Anaheim on Aug. 20 and flew into a city experiencing a hurricane. It was the start of a 17-game stretch in 17 days that included two doubleheaders and was filled with chances …
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and Yahoo Sports
Meghan Montemurro / Chicago Tribune:
Javier Assad struggles with his command in Chicago Cubs' 6-2 loss to Arizona Diamondbacks in opener of 4-game series — Javier Assad's command has been a staple of his big-league success. — Since his transition to the rotation one month ago, it has served as the basis for his ability to give the Chicago Cubs quality starts.
Discussion:
Reuters, Boston Herald, Yahoo Sports, DraftKings Network, Marquee Sports Network, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Bleacher Nation
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Greg Moore / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks get big win going into key part of playoff stretch, starting against the Cubs — The Arizona Diamondbacks fought back Wednesday afternoon against the Colorado Rockies, showing a crucial trait they'll need over the next few weeks with a playoff spot on the line.
Associated Press:
Derek Jeter returns, Yankees honor 1998 team at Old-Timers' Day — NEW YORK — Back at Yankee Stadium and hearing the cheers at age 49, Derek Jeter had some advice for the team he led to five titles. — “I'm working on rebranding the name Old-Timers' to something else,” he said.
Discussion:
Yahoo Sports, New York Post, New York Daily News and MLB.com
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers P Walker Buehler won't return to rotation this season — Any hopes of Walker Buehler returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers' needy rotation before the start of the postseason were officially dashed Friday when the team announced that Buehler, in the late stages of his recovery …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, MLB Trade Rumors, Orange County Register, Yahoo Sports, True Blue LA and Battery Power
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Exclusive: 25 years later, Mark McGwire still gets emotional reliving 1998 Home Run Chase — Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa captured the nation's imagination in the summer of 1998. Twenty-five years later, the magic from that season lives on. — IRVINE, Calif. — Mark McGwire …
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Royals Review and Yahoo Sports
ESPN:
Reports: Mookie Betts (foot) leaves ballpark on crutches — Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts left LoanDepot Park in Miami on crutches after fouling a ball off his foot Thursday night against the Marlins, according to multiple reports. — X-rays reportedly were negative.
Discussion:
Daily Breeze, Yahoo Sports, Los Angeles Times, True Blue LA, New York Post and AZ Snake Pit
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB places Dodgers' Julio Urías on administrative leave — Major League Baseball announced it placed Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias on administrative leave Wednesday, three days after police arrested the left-hander on suspicion of felony domestic violence.
Discussion:
New York Post, Forbes, USA Today, Los Angeles Times and True Blue LA
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CNN:
At least 14 killed as fierce storms and severe flooding lash southern Europe — At least 14 people have died and several remain missing across Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria as torrential rain and severe flooding batter southern Europe. — Flooding has claimed at least three lives in mainland Greece …
Bradford Doolittle / ESPN:
Aces Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer set for first showdown — ARLINGTON, Texas — As arguably the two best right-handed pitchers of their generation, the relationship between the Texas Rangers' Max Scherzer and the Houston Astros' Justin Verlander has taken many forms.
Discussion:
The Athletic, New York Post and New Jersey Online
Associated Press:
Marlins place Sandy Alcantara, Jorge Soler on injured list — MIAMI — The Marlins placed reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara and star slugger Jorge Soler on the injured list Wednesday, dealing a blow to Miami's postseason hopes. — Alcantara is sidelined because of a right forearm strain …
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Yahoo Sports, Sun-Sentinel and MLB Trade Rumors
