Pro Sports

LEADING OFF: Sale's All-Star tuneup, final fan voting wraps

Posted July 06, 2017 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale works against Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Saturday July 1, 2017. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP) The Associated Press

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

___

ALL-STAR SALE

Red Sox ace Chris Sale makes his final appearance before the All-Star Game, putting him in line to potentially start for the American League next Tuesday in Miami. Sale (11-3, 2.61 ERA) enters a game against Tampa Bay with double-digit strikeouts in three of his past four outings, including seven scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts against Toronto last Saturday.

ELECTION DAY

Fan voting online for the final spot on each All-Star roster ends at 4 p.m. EDT, and the two winners will be announced a few hours later on MLB Network. As of Wednesday afternoon, Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas was leading the American League balloting over shortstops Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox), Didi Gregorius (Yankees) and Elvis Andrus (Rangers), and Rays first baseman Logan Morrison. Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was at the front of the National League field, followed by Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds and Marlins first baseman Justin Bour.

WHERE THERE'S SMOKE...

Justin Verlander's once-secure future in Detroit has become increasingly uncertain. With the Tigers languishing below .500, the pressure may soon be on general manager Al Avila to trade some of his biggest stars, including the 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner who debuted with Detroit in 2005. "Obviously, where there's smoke, there's fire," Verlander said of the trade speculation, adding that "it's just the way sports are now."

STILL AILING

Indians manager Terry Francona will miss at least a few more games as doctors try to pinpoint his medical issues. Francona was still at the Cleveland Clinic on Wednesday getting tests to determine what has been causing light-headedness and an increased heart rate over the past month. The 58-year-old Francona was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday. Team president Chris Antonetti said Francona could be sidelined for the remainder of Cleveland's homestand before next week's All-Star break. Francona is supposed to manage the American League All-Star team next Tuesday in Miami.

NL WEST SHOWDOWN

The Dodgers and Diamondbacks conclude a three-game series with a battle of left-handers: Los Angeles' Rich Hill (5-4, 4.00) against Arizona's Robbie Ray (8-4, 3.06). Hill dominated San Diego in his previous start, a promising sign after a first half of the season plagued by blisters and inconsistent performance. Ray was named to his first All-Star team Sunday, although he's 1-1 with a 5.09 ERA over his past three starts.

FOLTY FOLLOW-UP

Braves right-hander Mike Foltynewicz makes his first start since taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning against Oakland. The hard-throwing 25-year-old was pulled after Matt Olson's leadoff homer on his career-high 119th pitch, and he got an extra day of rest ahead of his scheduled start against Washington. Foltynewicz (6-5, 3.83) was 3-0 with a 2.97 ERA in six starts last month.

___

More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

Kansas City Royals' Mike Moustakas hits a two-RBI home run on a pitch from Seattle Mariners' Felix Hernandez during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) The Associated Press

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander looks out from the dugout before the team's baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Wednesday, July 5, 2017, in Detroit. Verlander is a rarity in baseball these days. A veteran in his 13th season who has played for only one franchise the entire time. His future in Detroit, once so secure, has become increasingly uncertain. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The Associated Press

FILE - In this May 3, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona watches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, in Detroit. Indians manager Terry Francona remains hospitalized and will miss his second straight game. The 58-year-old Francona has been at the Cleveland Clinic since Tuesday, July 4. Doctors are running tests to determine whatâs been making him feel light-headed. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File) The Associated Press

Oakland Athletics' Rajai Davis steals third base during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox Wednesday, July 5, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) The Associated Press

Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner watches his RBI-single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Baseball Content Providers MLB Pro Sports Sports Sports Leagues Sports Types

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.