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.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals … WASHINGTON - The last time the Diamondbacks were here, almost exactly a year ago, Archie Bradley was set for a role change.  Shelby Miller had just gone down with an injury and Bradley was told he was going to replace Miller in the rotation.

A highlight from Joe McEwing's playing days — helping survivors on 9/11  —  White Sox's Lucas Giolito on Thursday's start: ‘Big step in the right direction.’ (Teddy Greenstein/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The big leagues are generally no place for a 28th-round draft pick who stands 5-foot-10.

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.

Strikeouts being looked at in a new light |  Bob Brookover  —  Strikeouts are good.  Yes, of course, they are.  Who didn't know that?  Those of us who had the pleasure of watching Steve Carlton as a kid or Curt Schilling as a beat writer were well aware of how incredible it was to watch a strikeout artist.

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 …

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.

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 …

Mets, who finished 2017 last in NL runs saved, are still struggling defensively  —  SAN DIEGO — Last fall, Sandy Alderson realized the Mets had to change their approach to defense.  It had never been a high priority when he was building around arms that overpowered hitters.

Three up, three down: Angels' 2009 draftees have big week; Mets' Dark Knight has dark days  —  Who had a good week, and who had a bad week in MLB?  —  THREE UP  —  Angelic draft: What might be the best draft class in recent memory — the Angels' class of 2009 — had quite a week.

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 …

Paez's sac fly leads St. Lucie to 3-2 win over Palm Beach  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Michael Paez hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning, driving in Ian Strom with the go-ahead run, as the St. Lucie Mets topped the Palm Beach Cardinals 3-2 on Friday.  —  Strom scored after he reached base …

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.