Royals try to keep wild-card lead over Mariners (Aug 04, 2017)  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals moved into the top of the wild-card standings on Thursday night.  —  The Seattle Mariners are trying to hunt them down for a postseason berth.  —  After the Royals rallied …

With MLB-best ERA since All-Star break, Yankees ship now springing leaks at the plate  —  CLEVELAND — This season, Brian Cashman has been making reference to patching up leaks in a dam.  —  You patch up one leak, but then another leak opens, and you've got to deal with that.

Boston's Rodriguez seeks success vs. White Sox (Aug 04, 2017)  —  BOSTON — Eduardo Rodriguez is still looking for his first win since returning from the disabled list as he pitches for the Boston Red Sox against the Chicago White Sox in the second contest of the four-game series at Fenway Park on Friday night.

Terry Collins will ultimately be the fall guy for Mets' lost season  —  It's going to take a few weeks before we can determine who the real winners were at the trading deadline — Yankees GM Brian Cashman, Dodgers GM Andrew Friedman and Nationals GM Mike Rizzo certainly moved boldly in making …

Keon Broxton drives in go-ahead run, Brewers top Cardinals  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Keon Broxton drove in the go-ahead run and saved a run with a leaping catch, Matt Garza made a strong start in his return from the disabled list, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 on Thursday afternoon.

Are Nationals ready for October?  Who cares?  Enjoy the daily drama they are now.  —  The Nationals' Bryce Harper walks in the dugout during a game against the Marlins on Aug. 2, 2017.  —  The Washington Post  —  Anyone who doesn't love watching regular-season Nationals games this year …

Paul Goldschmidt has first 3-homer game in D-backs' win over Cubs … CHICAGO — Paul Goldschmidt snapped a tie in the ninth inning with his third long homer of the game, and the Arizona Diamondbacks pulled out a rain-delayed 10-8 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.

Yankees ‘seriously exploring’ following Mets in extending protective netting  —  One week after a fan at Yankee Stadium was struck by a streaming foul ball hit by Aaron Judge, the Yankees on Thursday announced that they are strongly considering adding protective netting along the sides of the field.

Dominant Dodgers Are Not Getting Ahead of Themselves  —  ATLANTA — A very strange thing happened to the Los Angeles Dodgers here Wednesday night.  They lost.  —  The Dodgers almost never lose.  They win so often they seem not to know how to handle defeat.

Contours in Batter Comparisons  —  A Trick Up the Sleeve  —  Through the eyes of writer Roger Kahn, we've witnessed major-league pitchers working to fool batters for ages.  Regarding one Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher: … Kahn left to our imagination whether Vance had other tricks up his sleeve.

Cubs and Diamondbacks engage in a hilarious dance-off during a rain delay … So you think you can dance?  —  The Cubs and Diamondbacks were forced to endure three rain delays that lasted 2 hours, 35 minutes total Thursday night.  In order to pass the time, the two team's respective bullpens decided …

Phillies have extra cash to spend on international market  —  The Phillies added six minor leaguers last week in the series of trades they made before the July 31 trade deadline.  But just as important could be the extra money the team acquired to spend on the international market.

Joe Maddon won't hold Cubs back in upcoming series vs. Nationals  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Alex Avila, the upcoming schedule and the Nationals.  (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  With the Dodgers 12 games ahead of their closest competitor …