Top News:
Jacob Calvin Meyer / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles fall short in first game of pivotal series vs. Rays, 4-3, as AL East lead drops to one — The Tampa Bay Rays arrived at Camden Yards with the chance to overtake the Orioles atop the American League East this weekend. — They're one step closer. — In their biggest game of the season …
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Camden Chat, Sportsnet.ca, Yahoo Sports, DraftKings Network, BaltimoreBaseball.com, DRaysBay and Pinstripe Alley
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Hayes Gardner / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' Ryan Mountcastle exits game against Cardinals with left shoulder discomfort, will receive imaging Thursday — Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle talks about his left shoulder discomfort and his reason for leaving the game. (Baltimore Sun) — Orioles first baseman Ryan …
Discussion:
Denver Post, Boston Herald and BaltimoreBaseball.com
Nathan Ruiz / Baltimore Sun:
Orioles' offense quiet again in 1-0 loss to Cardinals, leaving AL East lead at 2 entering Rays series — Orioles' Kyle Gibson fell to 14-9 on the season after allowing one run on three hits (1 HR), and three walks. (Baltimore Sun) — Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has often praised …
Nathan Ruiz / Baltimore Sun:
When and how the Orioles can clinch a playoff spot — The Orioles have their eye on their first American League East title since 2014, and this week, they can improve their chances while also locking up a playoff spot for the first time in seven years. — Entering Thursday …
Discussion:
DraftKings Network, Yahoo Sports and Boston Herald
Emma Healy / The Boston Globe:
Would Theo Epstein return to the Red Sox? Here's what Sam Kennedy had to say. — The Red Sox fired chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom on Thursday, and announced they would move general manager Brian O'Halloran to a “senior leadership” position, leaving two open roles among the front office.
Discussion:
MLB.com, New York Post, Yahoo Sports, Boston.com, Boston Herald, 98.5 The Sports Hub, masslive.com and NESN.com
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MLB.com:
Red Sox announce departure of Chaim Bloom — BOSTON, MA - The Boston Red Sox today announced that they have parted ways with Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom. — Bloom was notified of the club's decision by Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, and President & CEO Sam Kennedy.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks coach fires back at New York Mets broadcasters: 'They're idiots' — NEW YORK — Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom is defending an in-game decision by manager Torey Lovullo that had drawn criticism during the New York Mets' television broadcast.
Discussion:
New Jersey Online and New York Post
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Nick PiecoroArizona Republic / Arizona Republic:
Arizona Diamondbacks-New York Mets pitching matchup for Wednesday's game
Discussion:
DraftKings Network, New York Post, Yahoo Sports, The Good Phight and Bleacher Nation
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Rangers' Max Scherzer out for regular season with muscle strain — Texas Rangers ace Max Scherzer will miss the remainder of the regular season and is “unlikely” to pitch in the postseason after straining a muscle in his upper arm, general manager Chris Young said Wednesday.
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Mike Fish / ESPN:
Yankees star A-Rod ratted out other players in Biogenesis scandal — Before Alex Rodriguez flipped the switch on his defiant, longtime drug-cheat image ... before the post-career entrepreneurial whirl and frolic across the celebrity landscape with superstar then-fiancée Jennifer Lopez …
Discussion:
New York Post and Pinstripe Alley
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Mike Fish / ESPN:
DEA documents show how Braun built Biogenesis doping defense
Discussion:
Greensburg Tribune-Review and Yahoo Sports
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Giants owner says Farhan Zaidi, Gabe Kapler ‘will both be here next year’ — DENVER — On the day the Red Sox fired their top baseball executive, San Francisco Giants owner Greg Johnson reiterated what he'd told the Chronicle last month: President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi and manager Gabe Kapler aren't going anywhere.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, KNBR and Yahoo Sports
Mick Akers / Las Vegas Review-Journal:
MLB sets date to vote on A's Las Vegas relocation, source says — A vote on the Oakland Athletics' Las Vegas relocation by Major League Baseball owners will occur in November, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. — The industry expert said the vote …
Discussion:
Mercury News, MLB Trade Rumors and Yahoo Sports
Matt Gelb / The Athletic:
If Phillies return to 5-man rotation, Michael Lorenzen could boost bullpen as setup man — PHILADELPHIA — They're not blind to it in the home bullpen at Citizens Bank Park, a place that has housed various horrors over the years. This recent blip, concerning no doubt, doesn't even register on the Phillies bullpen meltdown scale.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, The Good Phight, Phillies Nation, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Billy Penn at WHYY
Associated Press:
Atlanta Braves lock up sixth straight NL East title — PHILADELPHIA - Crammed into the visitor's clubhouse, the Atlanta Braves puffed on their championship cigars, showered each other with bubbly, shot-gunned beers and danced in alcohol puddles - until the music briefly paused. — “Turn the music up!
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Battery Power, Yahoo Sports and Reading Eagle
