:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67208308/1228048431.jpg.0.jpg)
Weekend Rumblings - News for August 15, 2020
The Royals and Twins will play a doubleheader today, with Ian Kennedy “opening”, followed by Jakob Junis in Game One, and Danny Duffy going in Game Two.
Bubba Starling was activated, after a brief stint on the Injured List with COVID-19 symptoms, although he did not test positive, writes Lynn Worthy.
“I woke up with a pretty bad cough, had some stuff going on in (my chest), was kind of having a borderline temperature and was just flushing out a lot of stuff,” Starling said Friday afternoon. “And I didn’t feel real good.”
Jeffrey Flanagan has a mailbox column, and addresses whether the Royals will be buyers or sellers.
They’ve got some key guys on expiring contracts like Ian Kennedy, Trevor Rosenthal and Greg Holland. The temptation for a rebuilding team would definitely be to move those guys at the Trade Deadline. But this season is obviously different. Most teams will still be “in it” by the end of this month. It will be a seller’s market for sure. But knowing general manager Dayton Moore like I do, if the Royals have even a sniff of the postseason, he’s not going to sell.
Regarding Alex Gordon's playing time going forward: Mike Matheny said today that he has had discussions with Alex, going back to Spring Training, about the organizational need to mix in some young outfielders in his spot. Matheny said Gordon, being the team player, understood.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) August 14, 2020
David Scharff at Kings of Kauffman writes about keeping baseball alive.
Indians pitcher Zack Plesac complains about media coverage of his COVID-19 protocol violation and the club options him and Mike Clevinger to their alternate site.
Cardinals manager Mike Schildt says his team did nothing “egregious” to cause an outbreak.
Teams may be able to expand their club pools.
MLB is considering adding Negro League players to official Major League records.
Why the MVP award should be named after Josh Gibson.
Fangraphs now has Statcast stats,
The next World Baseball Classic will likely be held in 2023.
Blue Jays fans find unique ways to celebrate MLB’s return to Buffalo.
Where does Rob Manfred go from here?
MLB television ratings are up, particularly among younger viewers.
The Seattle Seahawks cut a player after he tries to sneak a woman into the hotel dressed as a player.
St. Louis unveils the new name and logo for their MLS franchise.
The United Kingdom had its first socially-distanced concert with 2,500 in attendance.
Jason Sudeikis is Ted Lasso, an American coach in British soccer in a new Apple+ show.
Disney sets a premiere date for The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special.
Your song of the day is Sonny Rollins with Strode Rode.