A look at what’s happening around the majors Sunday:
BIG-N-LITTLE
Todd Frazier Menelik Watson Jersey , Michael Conforto and Scott Kingery will be back in familiar territory when the Mets and Phillies play under the lights in the Little League Classic at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The game will be held at Bowman Field, which seats about 2,500 fans as the home of the Williamsport Crosscutters, a Philadelphia affiliate in the Class A New York-Penn League. Nearby is the field where Frazier, Conforto and Kingery all played in the Little League World Series.
GONNA START SOMETHING?
Jose Urena is set to start for the Marlins vs. Washington at Nationals Park. Urena’s previous outing lasted only one pitch — he hit dynamic rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. with a fastball, setting off a bench-clearing incident in Atlanta, and was ejected. Major League Baseball suspended Urena six games, but the right-hander has appealed and can continue to play. There’s speculation Urena will drop his appeal after this game, meaning he would miss the Marlins’ series next weekend at home against the Braves.
MISS YOU
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment for Triple-A Fresno in a game at Tacoma. The reigning AL MVP has been out since July 25 with knee trouble — Houston hopes he can rejoin the club next week in Seattle.
Minus Altuve Daryl Johnston Jersey , the World Series champs have dropped 12 of 19 and lost their six-game lead in the AL West. Oakland has tied the Astros atop the division and will try for a sweep at the Coliseum when Sean Manaea (11-8, 3.44 ERA) starts against Justin Verlander (11-8, 2.52 ERA).
HIYA
Yankees lefty J.A. Happ starts against Toronto, the team that traded him late last month. The 35-year-old Happ (13-6, 3.86 ERA) has won all three of his starts for New York. Ryan Borucki (2-2, 3.29) pitches for the visiting Blue Jays.
AVAILABLE
Royals reliever Blaine Boyer has cleared waivers and is a free agent. The 37-year-old right-hander had a 12.05 ERA in 21 games when he was released. He also was 2-1 with one save, making him the only pitcher on the Kansas City staff with a win-loss record over .500.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (15-4)
OPEN CAMP: July 26, Foxborough, Massachusetts
LAST YEAR: New England lost twice in its first four games but recovered to win 11 of its final 12 behind MVP season of quarterback Tom Brady. He impressed at age 40, throwing for 4 Justin Blackmon Jersey ,577 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He did so despite reported issues between himself, coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft following midseason trade of backup Jimmy Garoppolo to 49ers. Defensive inconsistency was ongoing issue and it caught up with Patriots in Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia. It included surprise benching of cornerback Malcolm Butler, one of several players to sign with new teams during free agency.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: RB Jeremy Hill, RB Sony Michel, QB Danny Etling, DE Adrian Clayborn, WR Jordan Matthews, OT Trent Brown, OL Isaiah Wynn Marcus Cooper Jersey , CB Jason McCourty, DT Danny Shelton,
IMPORTANT LOSSES: Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, WR Danny Amendola, WR Brandin Cooks, CB Malcolm Butler, CB Johnson Bademosi, RB Dion Lewis, OT Nate Solder, OT Cam Fleming.
CAMP NEEDS: Wide receiver will be hot topic. After sitting out 2017 with torn right ACL Andrew Billings Jersey , Julian Edelman is suspended for first four games of regular season for violating NFL policy on performance enhancers. Combined with losses of Amendola and Cooks in trades to Dolphins and Rams, respectively, it leaves Chris Hogan (34 catches, 439 yards, five TDs) as top returning wide receiver. Something also must be done to solidify defense that needs more edge rushing and someone to start alongside Stephon Gilmore at cornerback.
EXPECTATIONS: Even with offseason roster changes, Patriots enter camp as team to beat in AFC East. All-Pro TE Rob Gronkowski considered retirement in offseason; he and Brady skipped voluntary offseason workouts. But both returned for mandatory minicamps and say they are focused on helping New England reach what would be its fourth Super Bowl in five seasons. One of biggest question marks will be how linebackers coach Brian Flores does in new role as defensive play caller.
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