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Trades or no trades PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Expanded playoffs in baseball make trade predictions tricky, especially for players like Detroit's Tarik Skubal. Twenty-three of the 30 teams are within four games of a playoff spot as the season's second half begins today. Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is a major trade possibility. The 29-year-old left-hander returned to the mound in June after elbow surgery. The Tigers, who have improved since June, are close to a wild-card spot. Their performance in upcoming games will decide their trade strategy. Other pitchers like Joe Ryan ...

State tourney begins Friday in Felch

Local Sports

Action gets underway at 9 a.m. Friday at Felch Field as Iron Mountain North Area Little League hosts the Michigan Juniors (ages 13-14) state baseball tournament. Pool play runs through Sunday in the eight-team tournament, which includes Iron Mountain and Negaunee representing Upper ...

AL's 4-0 win first All-Star shutout since 2013

National Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Dylan Cease started a parade of pitchers that shut down a slew of baseball's best batters in a display of the pitching dominance that rules the sport. "I thought before the game about starting with a changeup and I thought it would be funny," he said. He didn't. ...

Messi and Argentina rally past England

National Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — No "Hand of God" this time. Argentina didn't need it. Instead it was the hallowed feet of Lionel Messi and the unbreakable spirit of a team that has repeatedly fought back at this year's World Cup that is now one step away from back-to-back titles. Trailing 1-0 going ...

Brewers bolster rotation in a deal with Astros

Local Sports

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon from the Houston Astros on Wednesday for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder. Houston agreed to pay Milwaukee $4,227,273 to offset most of McCullers' remaining salary, ...

Yzerman steps down as Red Wings GM

Local Sports

Steve Yzerman abruptly stepped down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, a stunning midsummer change by a franchise great leaving the job after seven seasons and zero playoff appearances. Yzerman's transition to an advisory role to owner and CEO Chris Ilitch comes ...