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 …

Chris Bosio ‘crushed’ by Tigers firing, insists he did not direct slur toward employee  —  Chris Bosio still can't grasp why he was sitting in his Detroit apartment Thursday afternoon instead of on the bench at Comerica Park, unable to accept his abrupt firing as the Detroit Tigers pitching coach.

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 …

LEADING OFF: Bregman crushing in the clutch, Kershaw vs Cubs  —  A look at what's happening around the majors today:  —  CLUTCH CITY  —  Alex Bregman is red-hot at the plate as the Astros travel to Tampa Bay for a four-game series, and he's been especially good late in games.

Column: There's no telling how long the White Sox rebuild will take  —  White Sox manager Rick Renteria talks about 36-year-old pitcher James Shields making himself ‘relevant.’ (Phil Thompson/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  The White Sox reach the midway point of the 2018 season Friday …

In wake of feud with Cubs, Sammy Sosa remains adamant about not using PEDs  —  Sammy Sosa hit 609 home runs in his major league career, 545 of them with the Chicago Cubs.  But he and the team are locked in a standoff over suggestions that he hit most of them with the assistance of performance enhancing drugs.

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.

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 …

Yankees rumors: Michael Fulmer interest reported, is deal possible?  —  It is no secret the Yankees are looking to bolster their rotation with another impact starter.  —  That search apparently included Michael Fulmer, per Fancred's Jon Heyman, as the Yankees are one of several teams to check in on the Tigers starter's availability.

Jays' starter Ryan Borucki's hard work pays off as he rises above ‘dark place’  —  HOUSTON — Ryan Borucki has been described as a can't miss prospect, which is interesting because when he was a senior in high school, if he turned sideways, you probably would have missed him.

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.

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 …

Iowa Cubs reliever Alberto Baldonado selected to play in Triple-A All-Star Game  —  Iowa manager Marty Pevey is headed to the Triple-A All-Star Game with some company.  —  Alberto Baldonado, a left-handed reliever, was selected to play for the Pacific Coast League All-Star team in the Triple …

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 …

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.