MLB Bullets is on a roll

I remember 2008 when the Cubs were the best team in the National League all season and then laid an egg in the playoffs. Just sayin’.

• The Los Angeles Dodgers just finished the best 50-game stretch over the past 100 years, going 43-7.
• One of the unsung heroes of this Dodgers team is third baseman Justin Turner. David Waldstein explains how Turner is still driven by his release by the Mets.
• Mark Simon and Sarah Langs trace how the Dodgers and Mets have gone in different directions since meeting in the 2015 NLDS.
• It’s common when a star player gets traded or leaves via free agency, that the player takes out an ad to thank the team and the fans. Newest Dodger Yu Darvish did this in Texas. What isn’t so common is what the Rangers did, which is take out a full-page ad in Japan thanking Darvish for his service to the team.
• The Dodgers are so hot that a fan in New York raced three blocks to catch a cab with outfielder Yasiel Puig in it to get his autograph. Did Puig give him his autograph? Of course! #puigyourfriend
• Bradford Doolittle looks at the MLB stock watch to ask which teams are rising and which are dropping?
• Brendan Marks grades some of the biggest midseason deals of the past decade, with the benefit of hindsight.
• This one probably won’t make a future list list like that one, but the Mariners picked up Athletics first baseman Yonder Alonso for outfielder Boog Powell.
• Or this one, which sent Braves infielder Sean Rodriguez back to the Pirates.
• John Perrotto believes Rodriguez could be a big boost to the Pirates bench.
• Or Rodriguez could continue doing what he did in his first game back with the Pirates, which was hit a walkoff home run.
• Mike Axisa believes that both the Yankees and the Mets would benefit from a trade that would send Jay Bruce to the Bronx, but the rivals probably won’t deal with each other.
• Michael Baumann writes about Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and how the “three true outcomes” have taken over baseball whether we like it or not.
• The Yankees have benched All-Star catcher Gary Sanchez over his defensive weaknesses.
• Tony DeMarco thinks that the mid-summer hookup between the Rockies and Jonathan Lucroy could turn into a long-term relationship as the team doesn’t have any better options behind the plate for 2018 and beyond.
• Just like Frog and Toad, Rockies Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story are friends, and they immortalized it in a caricature.
• Tom Verducci has a profile of Astros outfielder George Springer, and how he overcame the self-doubt he experienced as a stutterer through baseball.
• Craig Edwards looks at Astros Jose Altuve and his case for the American League MVP Award. Fun fact: If Altuve wins the MVP, he will be the first player to win the award who is smaller than the trophy.
• Cliff Corcoran lists the ten most improved players in baseball this year.
• Sad news as former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton died of brain cancer at age 55.
• Pablo Sandoval may not be popular in Boston, but he returned to the Giants and AT&T Park to a loud round of applause.
• Dave Cameron looks at Rafael Devers, who took over third base with the Red Sox from Sandoval. He points out that Devers is doing a terrific job of taking advantage of Fenway Park’s unique dimensions.
• Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce has been suspended for two games for using an anti-gay slur. Joyce has profusely apologized for his actions.
• Stephania Bell looks at some of the biggest stars who are currently injured and when their teams can expect them back.
• Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker is out for the season with forearm surgery.
• Reds prospect Jose Siri is the bane of the existence of any Midwest League broadcaster who uses an iPhone. But he also had a league-record hitting streak of 39 games come to an end in controversial fashion.
• The Brewers all wore purple for their plane trip to Minnesota in honor of the late musician Prince. Is that Eric Thames wearing the Orlando City SC kit?
• David Letterman took in a Reds game at Great American Ballpark.
• SPOILER ALERT: Last night on Game of Thrones, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard made his debut as a Lannister soldier. You’d think the Mighty Thor would tip the balance of power in Westeros.
• And finally, the “feud” between Rays pitcher Chris Archer and Astros mascot Orbit came to an end for this season with Orbit scaring the living daylights out of Archer.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.