The Associated PressAP study: MLB average salary under $1.3M; Scherzer tops list
Major League Baseball's eye-popping salaries took an astonishing dive during the coronavirus pandemic to their lowest level in nearly a quarter-century, according to a study by The Associated Press. Washington pitcher Max Scherzer topped the shortened season's list at $17.8 million, his income partially protected by a huge signing bonus. Players receive about 37% of their 2020 pay under the formula agreed to in March by MLB and the union, a figure the union wound up keeping during bitter negotiations that failed to produce an agreement.
NBC Sports WashingtonNationals are off to season’s most dangerous spot: the road
They were yet to leave Nationals Park for a regular-season game in 2020. A four-game series starts Monday night in New York.
Yahoo SportsFantasy Baseball Roundup: Ronald Acuna Jr. starting to heat up, while another star emerges
Ronald Acuna Jr. busted out of an early season slump with three homers on Sunday, while Fernando Tatis Jr. is the game's hottest player.
The Associated PressMarlins, Tigers creating interesting standings early
If the playoffs started Monday, the Marlins and Tigers would be in, while last year's pennant winners - the Nationals and Astros - would not. Now for the reality check: Even after their impressive starts, Miami and Detroit have a long way to go. According to FanGraphs, the Marlins (7-3) still have only a 22.9% chance of making the 16-team postseason field.
The Associated PressLEADING OFF: A's try for 10th win in row, wait for MLB word
In the meantime, outfielder Ramon Laureano and the A's -- along with the Houston Astros -- will see if Major League Baseball will issue any discipline for their dust-up. Laureano charged toward Houston bench coach Alex Cintron after being hit by a pitch Sunday at the Coliseum. Astros catcher Dustin Garneau left the dugout to tackle Laureano as the benches emptied.
NBC Sports ChicagoWhite Sox no fans of MLB extra-inning rule after experiencing it vs. Indians
The White Sox finally got to experience baseball's new extra-inning rule Sunday, and it did not work in their favor. After the game, both Rick Renteria and James McCann said they aren't fans of the new way to bring a rapid end to extra innings.
NBC Sports BayAreaMLB rumors: Astros coach insulted Ramon Laureano's mom to spark brawl
The melee at the Coliseum on Sunday reportedly was set off by an Astros coach yelling an insult at Ramon Laureano.
NBC Sports WashingtonStephen Strasburg’s debut shows he still has a ways to go
He was sharp and effective for four innings, before the day came apart in the fifth.
MLB.comAcuña Jr.'s homers | FastCast
Ronald Acuña Jr. crushes a pair of home runs, plus Mitch Moreland walks it off for the Red Sox on this edition of FastCast
The Associated PressDeShields leads Indians over White Sox 5-4 in 10 innings
Delino DeShields snapped a tie with a perfectly placed squeeze bunt in the 10th inning, and the Cleveland Indians topped the Chicago White Sox 5-4 on Sunday night. DeShields' bunt drove in Jose Ramirez, who started the inning on second as part of baseball's extra-inning rule for the pandemic-shortened season. Mike Freeman added a two-out RBI single that gave Cleveland a 5-3 lead.
Yahoo SportsFormer Denver Broncos executive, MLB outfielder Carroll Hardy dies at 87
Carroll Hardy spent nearly a decade across Major League Baseball and more than two decades in the Broncos front office.
The Associated PressIndians' Plesac sent home after protocol misstep in Chicago
Zach Plesac understood the importance of players behaving in order for baseball to have its season amid a global pandemic. The Indians sent Plesac back to Cleveland on Sunday in a car service after the young right-hander violated team rules and Major League Baseball's coronavirus protocols. The 25-year-old Plesac went out with friends in Chicago on Saturday night following his win against the White Sox.
NBC Sports ChicagoWhite Sox stung by missed chance vs. Indians: 'This one hurts a little bit'
The White Sox were on national TV, with a chance to take a series from a division rival. But that chance slipped away, and the White Sox felt the sting of a particularly tough loss in a season where every game means so much.
LA TimesElliott: Walker Buehler remains modest as he continues his quest for greatness
Walker Buehler understands how the Dodgers' success this season depends, in part, on his ability to develop into one of the MLB's best pitchers.
LA TimesIn first year with Angels, Anthony Rendon is off to worst start of his career
Anthony Rendon, the Angels' prized off-season acquisition, is hitless in his last 28 plate appearance and his batting average has dropped to .103.
NBC Sports ChicagoCubs’ Ian Happ claimed center field after AAA detour: 'He's the real deal'
The club's decision to send Ian Happ to Triple-A Iowa to begin last season came as a surprise. But already this year, Happ has hit three home runs, tied for the most on the team, while also maintain a top-three batting average (.297).
NBC Sports BayAreaDustin Garneau explains tackling Ramón Laureano during A's-Astros brawl
Dustin Garneau played 26 games for the A's over two stints in Oakland from 2017 to 2019.
The Associated PressDozier, Singer lead Royals over Twins 4-2 for 3-game sweep
Hunter Dozier hit a two-run single in his first at-bat since testing positive for COVID-19, prized prospect Brady Singer earned his first major league win and the Kansas City Royals swept the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Sunday. The Royals won their fourth in a row overall. The Twins lost all three at Kauffman Stadium and have dropped four straight.
NBC SportsSource: Indians’ Plesac sent home after protocol misstep
Indians pitcher Zach Plesac was sent back to Cleveland on Sunday in a rental car after violating team rules and Major League Baseball's coronavirus protocols, a club official told the Associated Press.
The Associated PressAstros, A's clear benches, empty seats; Oak wins 9th in row
The Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros apparently were tired of playing nice. Things got so angry the benches cleared - and the stands emptied, too, during Oakland's 7-2 victory over the AL West rival Astros. The skirmish came less than two weeks after the Astros tangled with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team they beat in the 2017 World Series.
NBC Sports BayAreaBob Melvin puts A's-Astros brawl blame on Houston coach Alex Cintron
"I think the league will know who it is, and that person should get suspended."
The Associated PressLamet brilliant as Tatis, Padres pound Bumgarner, Dbacks 9-5
Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and the rest of the San Diego Padres were way too much for winless Madison Bumgarner and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Dinelson Lamet was brilliant in taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning and Tatis continued his remarkable power surge with a two-run homer off Bumgarner, who allowed four of San Diego's club-record six long balls as the Padres beat the Diamondbacks 9-5 on Sunday.
MLB.comCG: SF@LAD - 8/9/20
Condensed Game: AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts each crushed three-run home runs to lead the Dodgers to a comeback win over the Giants
The Associated PressPollock, Betts launch 3-run homers, Dodgers beat Giants 6-2
AJ Pollock and Mookie Betts each hit a three-run homer, rallying the Los Angeles Dodgers past the San Francisco Giants 6-2 on Sunday. The Dodgers have won nine of 12, and they took two of three from their NL West rivals in the series. With the Dodgers trailing 2-0 in the seventh, Cody Bellinger singled off Giants starter Kevin Gausman with one out and Justin Turner followed with a single off submariner Tyler Rogers (1-3).
Headlines
- Madison Bumgarner returning to Phoenix for back exam after early exit
- Astros, A's brawl after Laureano gets hit twice and charges Houston dugout
- Former MLB outfielder, Denver Broncos executive Carroll Hardy dies at 87
- Cleveland to quarantine pitcher Plesac for three days after he went out with friends
- Cardinals manager says some team members with COVID-19 have gone to ER
Yahoo Sports MLB Experts
Upcoming
| AL East | W | L | Pct | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6 | .625 | 0.0 | |
| 8 | 8 | .500 | 2.0 | |
| 7 | 7 | .500 | 2.0 | |
| 6 | 9 | .400 | 3.5 | |
| 5 | 8 | .385 | 3.5 |
| AL Central | W | L | Pct | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 6 | .625 | 0.0 | |
| 8 | 5 | .615 | 0.5 | |
| 10 | 7 | .588 | 0.5 | |
| 8 | 8 | .500 | 2.0 | |
| 7 | 10 | .412 | 3.5 |