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ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals aren't accustomed to stretches of mediocrity, and certainly not to reports of clubhouse unrest. The prospect of a third straight year without a postseason berth has spelled the end for manager Mike Matheny. Matheny was stunningly fired Saturday night following an 8-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, a defeat that dropped St. Louis to 47-46 and 7 1/2 games back of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs. Bench coach Mike Shildt was named the team's interim manager. Hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller were also fired. The Cardinals haven't missed three straight postseasons since 1997-99. "These decisions are never easy, but we felt Continue to Article

July 15, 2018 2:41:am EST

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon is running out of superlatives for All-Star slugger Javier Baez. Kyle Schwarber and Ian Happ also went deep. Baez, voted to start at second base in his first All-Star Game, hit a no-doubt shot to right-center field off Phil Hughes in the ninth inning, and the thousands of Cubs fans at Petco Park chanted "Javy! Javy! Javy!" as the 25-year-old from Puerto Rico rounded the bases. Continue to Article

July 15, 2018 2:34:am EST

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals aren't accustomed to stretches of mediocrity, and certainly not to reports of clubhouse unrest. The prospect of a third straight year without a postseason berth has spelled the end for manager Mike Matheny. Matheny was stunningly fired Saturday night following an 8-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, a defeat that dropped St. Louis to 47-46 and seven games back of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs. Bench coach Mike Shildt was named the team's interim manager. Hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller were also fired. The Cardinals haven't missed three straight postseasons since 1997-99. "These decisions are never easy, but we felt that Continue to Article

July 15, 2018 1:05:am EST

After the Cardinals’ third consecutive loss on Saturday, the club fire manager Mike Matheny as St. Louis fell further back in the National League Central. In addition to Matheny getting fired, the Cardinals let go hitting coach John Mabry and assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller as well. Bench coach Mike Shildt will take over as manager on an interim basis. “These decisions are never easy, but we felt that a change in leadership was necessary as the team prepares to enter into the second half of the season,” said Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozielak in a statement. St. Louis has dropped three straight games and 10 of their last 15, falling to 47-46 on the season and now seven Continue to Article

July 15, 2018 1:00:am EST

There was a hint that something was up with Albert Almora Jr.’s family via this tweet sent Saturday night: So Almora wasn’t even around when the Cubs blew out the Padres Saturday night. And now, the Cubs won’t be shorthanded today: The family emergency list is essentially the same as the bereavement list. Players must be on this list for a minimum of three days and maximum of seven. With the All-Star break coming up, the Cubs didn’t want to be shorthanded for one more day, and Almora can be back for the beginning of the second half Thursday. Here’s hoping all is well with him and his family. David Bote is hitting .300/.388/.425 (12-for-40) in 19 games with the Cubs this year, with two doubles, Continue to Article

July 15, 2018 1:00:am EST