Why Phillies have confidence in Nick Pivetta |  Extra Innings  —  The Phillies are back tonight after a day off, the first of five this month as they have more off days in August than in any other month this season.  It should be a neat weekend at Citizens Bank Park as Shane Victorino will retire Friday …

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 …

Brave new world as Atlanta visits Mets  —  NEW YORK — For the Atlanta Braves, this weekend will be about getting a look at the two new players they acquired in hopes of reaching the playoffs for the first time in five years.  For the New York Mets, this weekend will be about seeing …

Yankees' Sonny Gray says tweet ‘an inside joke’ directed at a friend  —  NEW YORK — For nearly three innings Wednesday, New York Yankees starter Sonny Gray turned in one of his worst pitching outings he has had in what has been an inconsistent season.  —  EDITOR'S PICKS

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.

Cardinals debut ‘real positive’ for reliever Shreve  —  Relief pitcher Chasen Shreve took a big jump in seniority with his move from the Yankees to the Cardinals.  Even though he just turned 28, he has pitched more games out of the bullpen (196) than anyone else on the active roster right now.

Sorting out the Seattle Mariners' lineup decisions with the addition of Cameron Maybin  —  It might not have seemed like much when the Seattle Mariners acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Miami Marlins this week, and like most of you, I did not make much of it.

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 …

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 …

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.

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

MLB releases the postseason schedule  —  Major League Baseball announced the schedule for the 2018 postseason today.  It's the first postseason in which we are guaranteed, ahead of time, not to have any November baseball.  Imagine that!  —  The regular season will end on Sunday, September 30 …