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LEADING OFF: Cards check Molina's thumb, AL East showdown

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A look at what's happening around the major leagues today:

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CARDS HOPE FOR THUMBS UP

St. Louis star catcher Yadier Molina is getting an MRI on his left thumb, a day after spraining it while making the tag on a key double play vs. the Cubs. ''I'm concerned,'' manager Mike Matheny said. ''We're anxious to hear what the doctor is going to report.'' The Cardinals lead Pittsburgh by four games in the NL Central with 13 left, and now host Cincinnati in a three-game series.

CANADIAN CLUBBING

David Price starts for the AL East-leading Blue Jays when they open a three-game set against the second-place Yankees at Rogers Centre. The lefty is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA in his last three outings. Adam Warren pitches for New York, taking on the team that tops the majors in home runs.

TRY, TRY AGAIN

Once again, Shelby Miller (5-15, 3.00 ERA) aims to stop his long winless streak when he pitches for the Braves against the NL East-leading Mets at Citi Field. Coming off his shortest outing of the season, he is 0-14 in 22 starts since his last victory on May 17 - the worst drought for any pitcher in a season he was an All-Star.

BIG D

Astros ace Dallas Keuchel goes for his 18th win when playoff-hopeful Houston hosts the Angels. In his last outing, the lefty was tagged for a career-high nine runs in 4 2-3 innings by Texas.

BACK TO WORK

Cubs reliever Pedro Strop might be back on the mound after enjoying the ''day at the beach'' that Joe Maddon promised. The quirky skipper said Strop deserved a break following his ninth-inning escape Saturday vs. St. Louis - prior to Sunday's game, the pitcher's locker at Wrigley Field was set up with a beach chair, an ice bucket full of beer bottles and a margarita.