MLB.com | Thomas Harrigan: Giancarlo Stanton was voted in the All-Star Game as a starter for the fifth time in his career and first as a Yankee, avoiding a late challenge in the votes of Toronto George Springer fans. Stanton joins teammate Aaron Judge, AL’s general voting leader, on the starting field alongside Mike Trout, and hinted that he could also participate in the Home Run Derby. Not surprisingly, Jose Trevino’s offer to start behind the plate was timid against Toronto’s Alejandro Kirk, who got a win, so if Treviño enters the squad, it will be as a reserve. They will be unveiled on Sunday afternoon.
Illustrated Sports | Max Goodman: If there’s been one constant in Brian Cashman’s career, it’s that he’s always willing to get involved around the commercial deadline. The Yankees general manager is always one of the busiest people in the game during this time of year, but insists that even with the Yankees at the top of the AL East for a while, his plans for the 2 d ‘August have not changed. It is likely that the team is still looking to make marginal additions, but having reached 15.5 games has not drastically changed the strategy.
NJ.com | Bridget Hyland: One such improvement, though probably more than a marginal addition, could be Pittsburgh Pirates midfielder Bryan Reynolds. The price of the 2021 All-Star would be exorbitant, and any conversation around Reynolds should start at least with Jasson Dominguez, if not a better perspective as a centerpiece.
New York Daily News | Kristie Ackert: Gerrit Cole has a problem with Rafael Devers, as the Red Sox third baseman took him deep twice Thursday night to get six homers of his career against him, making a walk the only time which came to the plate. Wandy Peralta, meanwhile, had no problem facing Devers, designing a weak ground, the last chapter of what has been a very underrated career for the left-hand reliever. It has an effectiveness of less than 2.00, without the dazzling rate of points to which we are accustomed to modern relievers.
New York Post | Ian O’Connor: Despite the Yankees ’dominance over their division, again, coming in today with 15.5 more games, the next three AL East teams would own all three Wild Card slots. Year after year, the East is the best division in baseball, and while it looks like the Yankees are destined for a showdown with the Astros in October, it could end up being a division rival that ends up interposed in the his way.