Will Cole Hamels deliver as the Cubs' big deadline pickup?  —  PITTSBURGH — The Chicago Cubs are hoping that now — finally — is the time.  Time for their much talked about starting rotation to take command and lead the way to the team's fourth straight playoff appearance.

Gonzalez, Astros win 8-3, drop Mariners into wild-card tie  —  Marwin Gonzalez hit two of Houston's four home runs, and the  —  Seattle Mariners from the lead for the second wild card in the American League with an 8-3 win on Wednesday.  —  After a five-game losing streak …

Occasional rest will be best for Kris Bryant, Cubs during 23-game stretch  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Kris Bryant has yet to swing a bat, and manager Joe Maddon already faces a juggling act once his slugger returns from the 10-day disabled list.  —  Maddon believes it might not take Bryant …

Texas Rangers resume Papa John's pizza promotion  —  In the wake of many professional sports teams cutting ties with Papa John's Pizza due to racist remarks by the company's founder, the Texas Rangers have become the first to re-establish their relationship.

Wong on brink of return to Cardinals lineup, to make rehab start Thursday  —  Cards Kolten Wong signals to the dugout that he was okay after getting hit by a pitch on Sunday, July 15, 2018, during the game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium.

Nationals DFA Shawn Kelley after tantrum on mound  —  The Washington Nationals have designated reliever Shawn Kelley for assignment, one day after he threw a tantrum on the mound following a home run.  —  In the ninth inning of Washington's 25-4 drubbing of the New York Mets on Tuesday …

Smirk, shouts as Gray, Yanks flop in 7-5 loss to lowly O's  —  NEW YORK — Booed as he walked off the Yankee Stadium mound in the third inning, Sonny Gray smiled.  —  A few moments later, third base coach Phil Nevin screamed at players in the New York dugout.

Matt Harvey plans to speak to New York media when the Reds open series against the Mets on Monday  —  Get ready, New York.  The one-time Dark Knight of Gotham is ready to talk.  —  The Reds told the Daily News Wednesday that the club is working on a plan to have Matt Harvey be made available …

Giants' Johnny Cueto to undergo Tommy John surgery Thursday  —  PHOENIX - The Giants on Wednesday announced the inevitable, that starting pitcher Johnny Cueto will undergo Tommy John elbow-reconstruction surgery in Los Angeles on Thursday.  —  Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers' orthopedist …

Adrian Beltre still with Rangers, but might approve trade to contender  —  Adrian Beltre was back in Texas, still with the Rangers on Wednesday after a road trip that ended on the same day as the non-waiver trade deadline.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS  —  No team added more talent than the Yankees …

Pirates' Chris Archer ready to make a splash after trade  —  PITTSBURGH — Chris Archer kept hearing from friends and former teammates that the Pittsburgh Pirates were different.  The proof came in the waves of people who approached the veteran pitcher as he walked the concourse …

Franklin Perez's lost year shows risks of Detroit Tigers' rebuilding  —  Recorded July 28, 2018 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press  —  It was lost in the shuffle of the next day's trade deadline, earning a headline but not the kind of attention it deserved.

Outfielder Preston Tucker hoping to take advantage of opportunities with Cincinnati Reds  —  Homer Bailey discusses his 3-hit, complete game outing in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers.  It was his first complete game since 2014.  Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati Enquirer  —  CONNECT

Athletics Designate Carlos Ramirez For Assignment  —  The A's announced Wednesday that they've designated right-hander Carlos Ramirez for assignment.  His spot will go to outfielder Boog Powell, who has been activated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Nashville.

Lance Lynn could make first start for New York Yankees Saturday against Red Sox  —  Abbey Mastracco, Staff Writer, @AbbeyMastracco  —  NEW YORK — When Lance Lynn walks into a room, he commands attention.  He's 6-foot-5 and 280, give or take a pound or two, and his extended chest prompted …

Who might have won the World Series at the deadline — or lost it?  —  That was a fun deadline, as trades trickled in over two weeks, and then we ended up with a rush of activity in the final 24 hours.  What made this trade period especially unique was that most teams in playoff contention made multiple trades.

Axford loved his true north time with Jays  —  OAKLAND — From the commute down the QEW back and forth to his Burlington home, to the chance to bring his two young boys into the Jays clubhouse, to playing before family and friends, John Axford relished his time as a Blue Jay.

Adames, Bauers homer for Rays in 7-2 win over Angels  —  Willy Adames homered and drove in two runs on the day Tampa Bay gave him the regular shortstop job, leading the Rays to a 7-2 win over the Los Angeles  —  Angels on Wednesday night.  —  Adames drove in a run with a two-out single off Angels starter