The New York Mets have contacted the Pittsburgh Pirates regarding a potential trade for starting pitcher Mitch Keller after the Chicago Cubs initially registered interest, according to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets are two of the best clubs in the National League this season. As the MLB trade deadline approaches, both teams are reportedly pursuing the same All-Star pitcher.

It was just a week ago that the Mets got an up-close look at Keller when he held them to one run over 5 1/3 innings in Pittsburgh’s 9-1 victory over New York on June 27. That outing was part of a nice five-start stretch for Keller that has seen the righty post a 2.

CHICAGO -- Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs turned their holiday into a home run. Eight of them, to be exact. Busch hit three longballs, Pete Crow-Armstrong connected twice and the Cubs went deep a franchise-record eight times to hammer the St. Louis Cardinals 11-3 on Friday for their fourth straight victory.

An update to the previous announcement,” a Cubs official said into the press box microphone. “Michael Busch’s home run now represents the 26th time this has happened.” Such was the nature of Friday’s 4th of July game between the Cubs and the St.

The Chicago Cubs set a franchise record by bashing eight home runs in a single game on their way to an Independence Day annihilation of the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, winning 11-3 on Friday. Michael Busch enjoyed his first career three-homer game,