All you need to know about Yankees' toughest stretch of 2018  —  The final weekend in April and the beginning of May will feel a whole lot like October for the New York Yankees.  —  The Bronx Bombers kick off a 13-game stretch Friday night in Anaheim that will see them play the four teams …

Neil Walker, filling in for Tyler Austin at first base, is getting one more shot to stay on Yankees roster  —  It may only be a short window of opportunity, but Neil Walker needs to take advantage of it - more so for himself than for the Yankees, who have managed just fine despite his struggles at the plate.

Rays journal: Matt Duffy's return will force Kevin Cash to be creative  —  BOSTON — Putting 3B Matt Duffy back into what had been an historically prolific lineup during his 10-day DL stint was a no-brainer for Rays manager Kevin Cash.  —  “Duff is a big part of our offense,” Cash said.

Ronald Acuna, baseball's latest sensation, hits Philly |  Extra Innings  —  So the Phillies got hammered yesterday.  But there is some good news: That was their last Facebook game for two weeks.  The Phillies will welcome the Braves to South Philly tonight to start a three-game series …

White Sox take on Royals while manager Rick Renteria attends mother's funeral  —  Photos of White Sox manager Rick Renteria.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Rick Renteria's body is in Austin, Texas, for the funeral of his mother.  The White Sox hope his mind is there, too.

Cubs expect Kris Bryant to return to lineup Saturday  —  Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Kris Bryant: “There's a tendency to be conservative right now.  I think it's a good thing.”  (Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kris Bryant was working on his chipping in the Cubs clubhouse …

Candelario back in lineup for Detroit Tigers after day off  —  BALTIMORE — Jeimer Candelario was due for a day off.  —  Entering Thursday's series finale against the Pirates, the young Detroit Tigers third baseman had played in every inning so far this season.

Mets' coaches stress to Steven Matz to slow things down after a bad play  —  Mets manager Mickey Callaway on adding reliever Buddy Baumann Matt Ehalt, Staff Writer, @MattEhalt  —  SAN DIEGO — Slow down.  —  That's the message the coaching staff stressed to struggling lefty Steven Matz …

Blue Jays attempt to regroup vs. Rangers  —  TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have finished a seven-game stretch against two tough American League East rivals and now they take on a rival of two recent postseasons in the Texas Rangers on Friday night.  —  The Blue Jays finished 2-5 …

Road games in Mexico figure to be like home games for the Dodgers  —  The schedule originally called for the Dodgers to play three home games next weekend.  Technically, the games would have been played at Petco Park, but the Dodgers are good, the Padres are not, and the place usually is overrun by Dodgers fans.

Flaherty arrives for Saturday start; Cardinals continue bullpen shuffle  —  St. Louis Cardinals' Jack Flaherty pitches to the Milwaukee Brewers on April 3, when he allowed one run and struck out nine in five innings.  (AP Photo)  —  PITTSBURGH  • The Cardinals continued Friday …

‘Pissed off’ Joey Bats is going to have big year with Braves: Pillar  —  Jose Bautista was “pissed off” that nobody signed him in the off-season and he' is going to show teams that passed on him, teams that could use some power from the right side, that they blew it.

Clemens leads Lansing to 11-7 win over West Michigan  —  COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (AP) — Kacy Clemens hit a two-run home run and had two hits, driving in three as the Lansing Lugnuts defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps 11-7 in the first game of a doubleheader on Friday.

EXCLUSIVE: Ed Burns to direct documentary on life of Hall of Fame Mets pitcher Tom Seaver  —  This certainly sounds Terrific.  —  The Daily News has learned lifelong Mets fan and Queens native Ed Burns will direct a documentary on the storied life of Hall of Fame Mets pitcher Tom Seaver.

Against the Pirates, Gibson's historic 1968 season first took sail  —  PITTSBURGH  • Fifty years ago yesterday, Bob Gibson's season was three starts old, he had to win a game, and the lineup he was about to face had a former MVP who changed the game and three future Hall of Famers.  No biggie.