On July 6 Johnny Damon Jersey , a 53-35 Milwaukee Brewers team had the best record in the National League and a 2.5-game lead in the NL Central. Since then, they've gone 8-11 with a minus-five run differential and seen that lead in the standings turn into a half-game deficit.If anyone needs to make a splash at the deadline, it's the Brew Crew.While they've already added reinforcement to the bullpen with the addition of Joakim Soria and a power bat to the lineup with Mike Moustakas, they still need starting pitching help.Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the Brewers have been in talks with the Minnesota Twins regarding infielder Brian Dozier, and a large deal could materialize to also include Kyle Gibson.Dozier no longer looks like a potential target with Travis Shaw shifting over to second base following the addition of Moustakas, but Gibson would still be a great fit.The 30-year-old is enjoying a breakout season with a 3.42 ERA (3.78 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP in 129 innings for 2.7 WAR?3th among AL starters.While he's more than just a rental with team control through next season, Milwaukee should be able to get a deal done without giving up top prospects Keston Hiura or Corbin Burnes.It's not the sexiest name out there, but he'd be a stabilizing addition to the starting staff as the team gears up for the stretch run.Los Angeles Dodgers Acquire Jose Leclerc and Jake Diekman4 of 4Jake DiekmanG Fiume/Getty ImagesThe Los Angeles Dodgers are not finished adding to their roster, even after swinging a blockbuster deal to acquire Manny Machado.According to Bob Nightengale ofUSA Today, the team is now pursuing "a reliever to help out closer Kenley Jansen," and they're casting a wide net in their search.Last summer, the Dodgers added one of the top rental relievers on the market (Tony Watson) and a controllable bullpen arm (Tony Cingrani), and a similar approach could be employed this time around.The Texas Rangers provide an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. Think the Washington Nationals acquiring Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from the Oakland Athletics last year Masahiro Tanaka Jersey , only on a slightly smaller scale.Closer Keone Kela might be the Rangers' most attractive trade chip, but he's far from the only useful arm they have readily available in trade talks.A package of Jake Diekman and Jose Leclerc would give the Dodgers two quality arms rental (Diekman) and one controllable (Leclerc) the two together would likely come at a smaller acquisition price than Kela.Diekman:46 G, 14 HLD, 3.79 ERA, 10.9 K/9Leclerc:39 G, 13 HLD, 2.39 ERA, 12.7K/9Would that be enough for the Dodgers to feel comfortable with the bullpen down the stretch?With Brad Hand, Zach Britton, Jeurys Familia, Joakim Soria and Seunghwan Oh already off the market, the crop of quality relievers is rapidly dwindling. The Dodgers would be wise to move quickly, and the Rangers look like the perfect trade partner. All stats courtesy ofBaseball ReferenceandFanGraphs Paul O'Neill Jersey , unless otherwise noted. HOUSTON — The Astros on Saturday added outfielder Myles Straw to the big-league roster with one primary objective: to utilize his exceptional speed on the basepaths as a pinch-runner.He may have the opportunity to continue doing that Sunday, when Houston hosts the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of their three-game series.Over 131 games across two levels in the minors, Straw posted 70 stolen bases and an 88.6 percent success rate. He produced 35 steals apiece for Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Fresno.Article continues below ...“Speed is the most obvious thing that he adds,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “You get into the type of (pennant) race that we’re in, you get into playoff-caliber baseball, any small advantage can be a big advantage. He’s an elite baserunner. His instincts are good, he’s a good outfielder. “His second half hasn’t gone as well as his first half offensively. We’re not going to ask a ton out of him playing-wise other than be an elite baserunner when we need it the most.”By limiting his responsibilities, the Astros (93-55), who evened the interleague set with a 10-4 victory Saturday, believe Straw can adjust quickly.“We’re literally asking him to take his best skill set on the bases and apply it to the major league level,” Hinch said of Straw, who pinch-ran in the seventh inning. “One of the reasons we feel comfortable with him in these last couple weeks is his instincts. And certainly, he’ll be a little bit nervous the first couple times out but we’re asking him to focus on one thing primarily http://www.yankeesfanproshop.com/authentic-giancarlo-stanton-jersey , and that can ease a little bit of that stress that comes with getting into the big leagues.”Right-hander Justin Verlander (15-9, 2.72 ERA) will start the series finale for the Astros. Verlander has posted 10 double-digit strikeout games this season and is 11 strikeouts shy of matching his single-season high of 269 set in 2009 with the Detroit Tigers.He is 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA over four career starts against Arizona, including a 3-1 loss on May 6 at Chase Field when he surrendered two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts over six innings. Verlander is 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 18 strikeouts over 14 innings this month.The Diamondbacks (78-71) will counter with right-hander Zack Greinke (14-9, 3.11 ERA). Greinke is 7-2 with a 2.75 ERA over his last 11 road starts and 5-4 with a 2.43 ERA in his last 11 interleague starts.He is 6-2 with a 2.24 ERA over 10 career starts against the Astros. He did not factor into the decision May 5 when he allowed one run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in a 4-3 victory at Chase Field.Arizona on Saturday selected right-hander Randall Delgado from Triple-A Reno and placed right-hander Clay Buchholz on the 60-day disabled list (right elbow flexor strain). Delgado appeared in six games for the Diamondbacks this season, going 2-0 with a 5.14 ERA before being designated for assignment July 25, released six days later, and re-signed to a minor league contract Aug. 18. He posted a 0.93 ERA over five games with Reno after his signing before finishing with a 2.00 ERA in 13 contests.“We’re all super excited to have him back,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “We need an arm and he had been keeping himself in shape and talking about going to winter ball.“We know what Randall is all about. Stuff-wise he was trending toward the Randall that we remember at the end of the minor league season so he’s going to get the ball. My expectations are that we’re going to use him in different situations, maybe not high-leverage right now, but different situations to stop momentum and get big outs for us.”The Diamondbacks are four games behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West and 3 1/2 back of Colorado for the final NL wild-card spot.