Column: A Cole Hamels back to his old self just what Cubs need  —  Photos from the Cubs-Pirates game at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.  —  Chicago Tribune  —  When Chris Archer was informed he had been traded to the Pirates, general manger Neal Huntington had but one request of his new ace.

Brewers hope to keep momentum riding vs. Dodgers  —  LOS ANGELES — The situation started to look bleak on the first day of the second half for the Milwaukee Brewers.  Less than two weeks later, the momentum has changed.  —  The Brewers will head into their game against the Los Angeles Dodgers …

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.

Can the Yankees actually catch the Red Sox?  —  BOSTON — It's no secret that the New York Yankees hate where they are right now.  —  That is, the Bronx Bombers' decision makers openly despise being in second place in the American League East, behind their rival Boston Red Sox …

Cole Hamels on adjustments needed after his Cubs debut: ‘Things will get more routine’  —  Chicago Tribune  —  After allowing only three hits Wednesday night in his Cubs debut, Cole Hamels was understandably happy — but sees room for improvement.  —  This was the first time Hamels …

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.

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

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 …

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.

Last Slide  —  When Zack Greinke takes the mound on Thursday night, he'll do so in the midst of the best streak of his Diamondbacks career.  Over seven starts, he has logged a 1.16 ERA; he has been nothing short of dominant.  He is again on the fringes of the Cy Young race …

Analysis: When there's no hope, no joy and no clear direction, #ThatsSoMets  —  The Washington Post  —  Irrelevant in their own market, adrift toward the cellar of their division and beset of late by pitching maladies both typical (forearm tightness) and pre-adolescent (hand, foot and mouth disease) …

Nationals vs. Reds series preview: Is Washington ready to make a run?  —  The Washington Nationals have their team now.  They did not trade away their biggest pieces.  They are going to try to make things work.  —  Their general manager sent a message, too.

Gordon homers as Royals beat White Sox 10-5  —  Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer and drove in four, helping the  —  Chicago White Sox 10-5 on Wednesday night.  —  Gordon also walked and scored during Kansas City's five-run fifth.  Brett Phillips added two hits and Ryan O'Hearn singled …

Next Slide  —  Willi Castro is the newest Detroit Tigers prospect and, according to Brian Sakowski of Perfect Game USA, the team did well for themselves.  —  The Tigers traded for Castro on Tuesday, sending center fielder Leonys Martin and right-handed prospect Kyle Dowdy to Cleveland.