Dodgers hit 3 homers for 51 in June, beat Cubs 7-5  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — After an anemic first couple months of the season, the Dodgers are powering balls out of the stadium at a near record rate.  —  Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger each hit a solo home run, Joc Pederson added a two-run shot …

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 …

Carl Edwards Jr. to pitch for Iowa Cubs on rehab assignment  —  Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982.  Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time.  Mark Marturello and Michael Zamora/The Register

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 …

Nationals hope to rev up offense vs. Phillies  —  Washington Nationals did not do much offensively.  —  In fact, they did not score.  —  After going scoreless for two games with the  —  Tampa Bay Rays, the Nationals hope to get their offense going Thursday night in the opener …

White Sox seek first four-game win streak of season vs. Twins  —  The Chicago White Sox have a chance to complete their first three-game sweep of the season when they face the Minnesota Twins in the series finale Thursday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field.  —  Chicago (28-51) …

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 …

John Ricco says Mets will be sellers  —  Assistant GM says team will be active as trade deadline approaches and will consider offers for Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard.  —  The Mets are embracing their 2018 fate as trade-deadline sellers.  —  Assistant general manager John Ricco …

MLB players survey: Sounding off on umps, shifts, steroids - and whether to strike back  —  After decades of labor peace and undeniable prosperity, Major League Baseball players have experienced a tumultuous few years.  —  An aggressive commissioner has threatened to unilaterally alter the way the game is played.

Zach Eflin has made huge jump to be key member of Phillies' rotation  —  Zach Eflin appears to be making the leap from roster filler to impact starting pitcher.  This is not something anyone would have predicted in spring training, but it's also something that maybe could have been predicted if you knew Eflin's history.

Ex-Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa still denies use of PEDs during career  —  Former Chicago Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa, unlike his rival in the historic home run chase of 1998, has never admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs.  —  And Sosa, in a recent interview with E:60's Jeremy Schaap …

Braves Activate Ronald Acuna, Place Brandon McCarthy On DL  —  The Braves announced Thursday that they've activated Ronald Acuna Jr. from the disabled list and placed veteran right-hander Brandon McCarthy on the 10-day DL due to tendinitis in his right knee.

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.

D-Backs' Greinke may utilize slow curveball vs. Marlins  —  Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke is slowing down, which is not uncommon for a 34-year-old pitcher.  —  The only surprise is he is doing it on purpose.  —  The majors' second highest-paid pitcher this season …

Resurgent Reds take on first-place Brewers  —  The Cincinnati Reds are much better now than they were a month into the season, and it's partly because Anthony DeSclafani is much better than they anticipated.  —  Not only DeSclafani, the pitcher.  DeSclafani, the hitter, too.