Daily notes: Pitcher and hitter rankings for Saturday  —  We've officially hit the second half of the MLB season, with more than half of 2018's games now in the books.  To celebrate, we have a smorgasbord of hurlers, ranging from Chris Sale and Justin Verlander at the top …

Cubs emphasize positives after salvaging up-and-down trip  —  LOS ANGELES — Perhaps Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon's analysis of his team's woeful-looking road trip was spot on.  —  “The Reds are screwing this whole thing up,” Maddon said before the Cubs' 11-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday.

Rays face another tough Astros pitcher — Cole  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays were beaten by the slimmest of margins in the series opener, and the Houston Astros' dominating starting pitching gets another chance to showcase itself at Tropicana Field on Friday night.

Detroit Tigers' Daniel Stumpf has no knowledge of spider monkey nickname  —  Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Stumpf has told the Detroit Free Press that he has no knowledge of the nickname “spider monkey,” which fired pitching coach Chris Bosio said he called him and was fired for when it was taken out of context, according to Bosio.

Seranthony Dominguez proves he has the short memory required to be an excellent reliever |  Extra Innings  —  Aaron Nola did it again.  For the seventh time in 11 starts, the Phillies' ace righthander allowed fewer than two runs.  His latest gem — a 114-pitch mastery of the Nationals …

Midseason awards, bad All-Star positions and MLB's next big thing  —  At some point Friday evening, the 1,215th final score of the 2018 Major League Baseball championship season will be entered in the logs.  It's the natural halfway point — peak baseball — when we have as many games behind us as we do ahead.

Prodigal Panda: Pablo Sandoval enjoying renaissance with Giants  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Pablo Sandoval's loud banter resonates often throughout the San Francisco Giants' clubhouse.  Fans at AT&T Park greet the announcement of his name cheerfully.  Some teammates wear T-shirts bearing his likeness.

Joey Votto says benches-clearing incident against Brewers was a ‘misunderstanding’  —  After watching a called strike in his second at-bat of Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Joey Votto turned toward home-plate umpire Roberto Ortiz.  —  Votto stepped out of the batter's box and appeared to say a few words.

Next Slide  —  Detroit Tigers right-handed pitching prospect Alex Faedo took the latest questions about his velocity dip in stride.  He said he was asked similar questions early in 2017 as a junior at Florida, before being named Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series.

Kris Bryant's injury eases the Cubs' Albert Almora Jr.-Ian Happ debate  —  Cubs center fielder Albert Almora Jr. on Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw's exit: ‘It worked for our favor’ (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)  —  Chicago Tribune  —  In assessing the Albert Almora Jr.-Ian Happ situation …

Padres happy to be back home vs. Pirates  —  SAN DIEGO — There will be a double homecoming Friday night at Petco Park.  —  Right-hander Joe Musgrove, who was born and raised 20 minutes east of San Diego in El Cajon, will be facing the Padres for the first time as the starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cardinals host NL East-leading Braves  —  Another series, another opponent sitting at the top of its division.  —  That's the scenario for the St. Louis Cardinals this weekend as they welcome the Atlanta Braves, who lead the National League East, for a three-game series at Busch Stadium starting Friday.