Next Slide  —  Go through the gallery to see The Detroit News' midseason grades for the Detroit Tigers, compiled by Chris McCosky.  Click here if you have trouble viewing the gallery.  —  Detroit — This is an odd thing to say riding a seven-game losing streak into Game 81 …

Why the Red Sox — not the Yankees — will win the AL East  —  Is it accurate to describe the American League East as an epic playoff race?  I believe so.  The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are both on pace to win more than 105 games and the last time two teams in the same division won 100 games …

Orioles may have hard time getting big return for their relievers  —  BALTIMORE — If it seemed too good to be true, that's because it was.  —  In the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday, the Baltimore Orioles overcame a one-run deficit against a Seattle Mariners team that has spent …

Matt Kemp's game, and his life, have been on the upswing since his return to the Dodgers  —  The pregame music was loud and energetic, and Matt Kemp was bouncing along to it after taking his turn in the batting cage at Dodger Stadium one day this week.  “I'm livin' my best life,” he sang, and improbably enough, he is.

Bregman's 2-run shot gives Houston 7-6 win over Blue Jays  —  HOUSTON — It isn't very often that Alex Bregman whiffs on two straight fastballs, so when he did so in the ninth inning on Wednesday it left Houston's third baseman a bit upset.  —  Fortunately for the Astros …

Kyle Hendricks searching for answers when Cubs need him to deliver  —  LOS ANGELES — Frustrated.  Perhaps even exasperated.  Pick a similar adjective and it would probably fit the description of Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks' mood right now.  After the second-shortest outing …

Pirates rally for 4 runs in 9th to beat beleaguered Mets 5-3  —  David Freese hit a go-ahead, two-run single and the  —  Pittsburgh Pirates rallied for four runs in the ninth inning to beat the  —  New York Mets 5-3 on Wednesday night.  —  Gregory Polanco had an RBI single and Josh Bell added …

Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo a big fan of Deven Marrero's defensive ability  —  MIAMI - It's safe to say that Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has a soft spot in his heart for backup utility infielder Deven Marrero.  —  Like Marrero, Lovullo was a career backup infielder …

Encarnacion, Chisenhall HR; Bieber sharp as Tribe top Cards  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — After a rough debut, Cleveland Indians rookie Shane Bieber has found his routine.  —  Edwin Encarnacion and Lonnie Chisenhall hit back-to-back homers, Bieber pitched six strong innings and the Indians beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Wednesday night.

Angels reliever Jake Jewell leaves game on stretcher after play at plate  —  Los Angeles Angels reliever Jake Jewell had to be taken off the Fenway Park field on a stretcher after a play at home plate in the bottom of the eighth inning Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox.

Gavin Wallace becoming ‘totally different pitcher’ in Pirates system  —  Gavin Wallace didn't become a full-time pitcher until his senior year at Madison High School.  Even after three seasons at Fairfield (Conn.) University, Wallace knew he still had a lot to learn.

Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag: Will Beau Burrows move up soon to Triple-A?  —  Welcome to the weekly Free Press Detroit Tigers prospects mailbag, which is now open to any of your questions.  Submit questions on Twitter @GeorgeSipple or by e-mail at gsipple@freepress.com.