Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Best Team Win Pct in Pitcher's Starts Clayton Kershaw .905 LAD Stephen Strasburg .750 WAS Carlos Carrasco .737 CLE Jason Vargas .737 KC
Now
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Some avenues NYY could explore as they look to move Jacoby Ellsbury, who no longer has a spot in everyday lineup. espn.com/blog/buster-ol…
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
When the Red Sox players hear Eck's sometimes obtuse bluntness, they should know: That's how he has always self-assessed, as well.
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
The good thing that might come out of the Price/Eckersley confrontation: I hope Red Sox players get to know Eck. A man of zero malice.
Jay Harris @JayHarrisESPN
Cubs: 8-1 since All-Star break (best record in MLB); season-high 5 games over .500
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Chris Taylor, Whit Merrifield rank No. 5 and No. 6 in WAR in the month of July. fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?p…
ESPN.com's SweetSpot @espn_sweet_spot
Real or not? Strasburg, Kershaw injuries could ramp up the pursuit of Yu Darvish es.pn/2tsIf00
Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer
The Cubs returned to first place for the first time since June 6 with a 5-3 win over the Cardinals on Sunday. They're 8-1 since the all star break with catcher Willson Contreras leading the way. His sixth inning home run broke a 3-3 tie making a winner out of Jose Quintana. He's 2-0 as a Cub while Contreras has seven home runs in July.
Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer
Watch Jose Quintana discuss the Cubs 5-3 win over St. Louis on Sunday night. He threw a quality start in his home debut as the Cubs moved into first place.
ESPN @espn
New @Reds mascot? Joey Votto kept his promise, and Zack Cozart got his donkey. (via Reds/Instagram) pic.twitter.com/z9Gv5Gpi0s
Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer
Watch Willson Contreras discuss his HR which vaulted the Cubs into first place on Sunday night.
Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer
Watch Anthony Rizzo react to the Cubs being in first place.
ESPN @espn
This dinger from Willson Contreras secured a 5-3 win over the Cards & moved the Cubs into first place in NL Central. es.pn/2tSqDtH
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
ICYMI: Here's the video of what happened with Clayton Kershaw. m.mlb.com/video/v1641164… Headed to the DL.
Alden Gonzalez ESPN Staff Writer
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was asked if this pitching staff has enough to sustain a prolonged absence from Clayton Kershaw. Here's what he said ...
Alden Gonzalez ESPN Staff Writer
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, on Kershaw: "Obviously what he means to our ballclub, how he's been throwing, and his history -- yeah, there's some pause. We have to do the scans, let the medical guys do their thing and gather information. ... From what I understand, it's more muscular. That sharpness that he felt last year, the herniation-type thing, that's not what he felt today. The scans can prove different, but that all I've got right now."
Alden Gonzalez ESPN Staff Writer
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw seemed really down when talking about his back injury. The quote that stood out: "A lot of frustration. I've done just countless, countless hours of back maintenance and rehab and everything, just trying to stay healthy. I felt really, really good up to this point. So, yeah, there's definitely some frustration."
Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer
According to StatCast Kyle Schwarber's HR in the fourth inning went 400 ft. Schwarber has a .901 OPS since returning from Triple-A earlier this month. His three runs driven in, in July, have come via solo home runs.
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Another good play by Jedd Gyorko. The STL 3Bman tied for fifth among all major-leaguers in Defensive Runs Saved. fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?p…
Jesse Rogers ESPN Staff Writer
With his second inning HR Randal Grichuk has 5 long balls this year against the Cubs and 7 against the rest of the league. He's now hitting .407 against them though he came in hitting .222 overall.