LEADING OFF

A look at what’s happening around the majors today:

NO-BLAME BEARS: President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein insists he’s not pinning the Cubs’ struggles on manager Joe Maddon, saying there’s blame to go around. “I see us as in it together,” he said. The Cubs have been in a funk for weeks, struggling at the plate and making mistakes in the field and on the bases. Epstein said Saturday “the sloppiness has kind of surprised all of us” but said “Joe’s been remarkably effective and remarkably consistent.” Epstein said the Cubs are “not close” to making any trades. How the team performs over the next few weeks will go a long way toward determining the types of moves Chicago tries to make prior to the July 31 deadline.

LOOKING AHEAD: Many of baseball’s top prospects are set to play in the All-Star Futures Game in Cleveland today. The showcase has a new setup this year, ditching the U.S vs World format and instead pitting American Leaguers vs. National Leaguers. The game has also been moved to 5 p.m. (MDT) after usually running Sunday afternoon during All-Star weekend. Former Indians stars Jim Thome and Dennis Martinez will manage the squads. Albuquerque Isotopes left-handed reliever Ben Bowden, 24 and a second-round MLB Draft pick out of Vanderbilt in 2016 for the Rockies, is among the invitees.

DIVISION DUEL: Yankees LHP James Paxton (5-3, 4.09) and Rays RHP Charlie Morton (9-2, 2.36) close out a hard-fought AL East series between the rivals.

BIG EASY: Coming off consecutive scoreless outings, Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (7-2, 3.89 ERA) pitches the series finale against the Mets. Nola has allowed one earned run with 28 strikeouts in 23 innings over his last three starts. He is 6-1 with a 3.48 ERA in 11 career games against the Mets, including seven shutout innings of one-hit ball with 10 Ks on June 27.