Top News:
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.
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Kiley McDaniel / ESPN:
Why Red Sox parted ways with Chaim Bloom — Sitting in last place in the American League East with virtually no chance to make the playoffs, the Boston Red Sox fired chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom on Thursday. It was an announcement that surprised the baseball industry …
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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.
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 …
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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 …
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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
When and how the Orioles can clinch a playoff spot
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DraftKings Network, Yahoo Sports and Boston Herald
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.
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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
Arizona Diamondbacks-New York Mets pitching matchup for Wednesday's game
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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 …
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Mike Fish / ESPN:
DEA documents show how Braun built Biogenesis doping defense
DEA documents show how Braun built Biogenesis doping defense
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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:
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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 …
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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.
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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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