Elly can't wait to see Shohei. A tribute to Mays

MLB Morning Lineup Podcast

Elly De La Cruz, the stolen-base artist who swiped two more last night, is adding language arts to his repertoire -- so he can converse in Japanese with Shohei Ohtani. In San Francisco, the Giants held a public celebration of the life of Willie Mays.

On today's episode:

Act I: THE BIG STORIES (0:53-2:28)

Elly De La Cruz stole two more bases in the Reds' 6-0 win over the Rockies. That makes him just the third player with 45 steals and double-digit homers before the All-Star break, joining Rickey Henderson in 1986 and Kenny Lofton in 1994. And yet, what De La Cruz did a day earlier might be even more amazing: The Dominican native said he was learning Japanese so he can speak with Shohei Ohtani at next week's All-Star Game. And he said it in English, not even his first language. Elsewhere, amid reports they would be sellers at the upcoming Trade Deadline, the reigning World Series champs have suddenly come alive. The Rangers whipped the Angels for their fourth straight win. And the surging Cardinals won again, over the Nationals, and now are not only in the thick of the NL Wild Card race but are hot on the trail of the NL Central-leading Brewers.

Act II: WHIPAROUND (2:28-4:17)

The Giants held a public celebration of the life of Willie Mays yesterday afternoon at Oracle Park. Commissioner Rob Manfred was among the dignitaries paying tribute, along with former President Bill Clinton and Barry Bonds. Also, the Home Run Derby field continued to fill up. Sluggers Bobby Witt Jr. and Marcell Ozuna were announced as participants.

Act III: LOOKING AHEAD (4:26-6:02)

Tonight, brace yourself for an NLCS-caliber matchup three months before October. It's the Dodgers and Phillies from the Bank at 6:40 p.m. ET on MLB.TV and TBS. And then at 9:40 ET on MLB.TV and MLB Network, an intriguing Interleague matchup between two teams that would be in the playoffs if they started today: Mariners at Padres.

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