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

HITTING BRAVES

Among the many things the Atlanta Braves have done right on their way to leading the National League East this season Harold Landry Color Rush Jersey , they’ve been getting hits. The Braves began their series against fellow division leader Milwaukee on Thursday night with three of the top four hits leaders in the NL, with outfielder Nick Markakis (108) leading the way and infielder Ozzie Albies (102) and Freddie Freeman (101) close behind in third and fourth, respectively. It’s the first time in franchise history the team has had three players reach 100 hits prior to the All-Star game, and the Braves will continue their series when Mike Foltynewicz and Freddy Peralta face off.

GOING GRAY

In a season full of highlights for the New York Yankees, right-hander Sonny Gray has been one of the team’s biggest disappointments in his first full season with club. Gray will try and rebound from his worst start of the season when the Yankees begin a weekend series in Toronto against the Blue Jays. After being acquired from Oakland last season, Gray is 5-6 with 5.44 ERA this season and is coming off an 11-0 loss to Boston last weekend in which he allowed six runs in only 2 1/3 innings.

CHICAGO SEEING RED

Two weeks ago, the Chicago Cubs suffered through an embarrassing four-game sweep in Cincinnati – beginning a stretch of six losses in seven games. Chicago has won six straight games since that rough patch, and has the opportunity to make amends with the Reds when the two teams begin a weekend series at Wrigley Field. Mike Montgomery (3-2) starts for Chicago, and Tyler Mahle (6-6) takes the mound for Cincinnati.

ACE OF NEW YORK

Despite the struggles of the New York Mets for much of the season, Jacob deGrom has been one of the NL’s most dominant starters. The right-hander leads the league with his 1.84 ERA and will be back at work when he takes the mound against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. He has allowed three runs in each of his last two starts, the first time he’s allowed three or more runs in back-to-back games since April.

SUMMER KING

Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez (8-6) put together his best full month of the season in June, posting a 3.71 ERA in six starts and lowering his overall ERA from 5.83 to 5.11 in the process. The 2010 Cy Young award winner will try and extend his improved performance into July when he starts in an interleague game against the visiting Colorado Rockies.

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— The New York Jets‘ three-man quarterback competition could last the entire summer.

Coach Todd Bowles is in no hurry to make his decision on whether it will be Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater or Sam Darnold under center as the starter in the team’s regular-season opener at Detroit on Sept. 10.

“You’ve got to play preseason games Lions Game Jerseys ,” Bowles said Monday. “I’m not into hypotheticals and nothing that hasn’t happened yet. We’re going to let them play. And after the fourth preseason (game), sometime that week, I’ll make my decision and go from there.

“It’s possible I will make my decision after the fourth week.”

Usually, teams have their starters determined by the third preseason game, when the first-teamers play the bulk of the snaps.

The Jets’ coach could also keep the team’s starter under wraps until the night of the game against the Lions.

“The guy who runs out on the field (Monday night) in Week 1, we’ll see who the starter is,” he said.

McCown is the incumbent and still is No. 1 on the depth chart with the first unofficial list released Monday. But, Bridgewater — who’s No. 2 — and Darnold — listed at No. 3 — saw extensive action in practice.

McCown got just 10 snaps in team drills, while Bridgewater had 32 and Darnold a whopping 55, including 16 with the starting offensive line.

“They’re going to play (preseason) games,” Bowles said of Bridgewater and Darnold. “And, I didn’t see enough work Saturday (in the scrimmage at Rutgers). So we needed more work today on certain situations that Josh has been through.”

Bowles said he has an idea of how the Jets will use their quarterbacks in the preseason opener against Atlanta on Friday, but wants to discuss it with his staff before revealing the plan. In fact Cheap Keke Coutee Jersey , there’s no guarantee that McCown will even play against the Falcons.

Last summer, McCown played the first series of the preseason opener and didn’t see the field again until three games later as the Jets gave Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg extended looks. This year, Bridgewater is shaking off the rust from being sidelined nearly two years because of a severe knee injury, while Darnold is the No. 3 overall pick who is considered the future of the franchise.

“This is my 17th training camp and I’ve done this for a while,” McCown said. “Obviously, we have a lot invested in the other two guys, as far as learning the offense and getting comfortable with things. It’s good for our team for those guys to get as much work as they can.”

Darnold has been in camp for just a week after missing the first three practices of camp while working out details in his contract. He quickly got up to speed and had a few solid performances last week, including in the team’s scrimmage.

But the rookie was up and down Monday in 92-degree heat with high humidity, making a few terrific plays and also coming up short on others while not looking as sharp as he had. He also showed some frustration, pumping his fist angrily after one play.

“I definitely feel a lot more comfortable calling plays in the huddle and then executing them,” Darnold said. “Obviously, I’m not exactly where I want to be. There’s always growth that needs to happen. But I’m real excited with where I’m at.”

So are his teammates, who have seen quite a bit of growth in just the last week. Darnold’s ability to make quick reads on the defense and make plays on the fly is impressive.

During one play Authentic Breeland Speaks Jersey , Darnold looked at his first read and saw he was covered. So, he checked the second receiver — and he, too, was covered. So, the rookie then went to his third option and connected with a wide-open running back Trenton Cannon for a touchdown.

“It’s awesome to be able to find my groove in the offense,” Darnold said.

Darnold’s biggest test will come against the Falcons on Friday night, when he could end up playing the entire second half.

“I have high expectations that he’ll go out and play well,” McCown said of his young teammate.

Bridgewater echoed McCown’s sentiments.

“Sam’s going to be fine,” he said. “That guy, he’s cool. He’s a cool guy. Seems like a guy you can’t break. And that’s what you want as a quarterback. He’s even-keeled, makes throws and it’s like, ‘Man, this guy Rashaan Evans Titans Jersey , he’s the real deal.’

“He gets it.”

NOTES: Cannon had his right foot or ankle checked out by a trainer late in the practice and didn’t return. The sixth-round pick is having a strong camp. … Among those who didn’t practice because of injuries: WR Quincy Enunwa, LT Kelvin Beachum, NT Steve McLendon, CB Parry Nickerson, LB David Bass, DT Deon Simon, RB Thomas Rawls, DB Kacy Rodgers. … The Jets signed OL Alex Balducci, who was in camp with New York last summer, and waived OL Austin Golson. … Rookie Nathan Shepherd, a third-rounder, is listed as a starter at DE on the team’s first unofficial preseason depth chart.

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