Way-too-early Red Sox-Indians playoff preview  —  Six weeks remain in the 2018 regular season, then all trackers roll back to zero and the wonderful anarchy of the postseason begins.  How will this October look?  We don't know.  Much is left to be settled between now and the end of September.

Is Victor Alcantara a thing?  What we learned about the Detroit Tigers  —  MINNEAPOLIS — That was a tough series, for the Detroit Tigers and for those who watched the games.  —  This is the American League Central division these days, save the Indians.  Remember, the Twins attacked …

Cardinals-Dodgers Preview  —  LOS ANGELES — With some newfound momentum gained during a successful homestand, the St. Louis Cardinals will now take their positive energy on the road.  —  The Dodgers have been searching for consistency in August but appear to be feeling confident …

'It's grind time:' Cubs facing a stretch of 23 games without a day off  —  Chicago Tribune  —  Manager Joe Maddon's annual American Legion Week can't last long enough for the Cubs after they embark Tuesday on an ominous stretch of 23 games without a scheduled day off.

Verlander 200th W, Astros 5 HRs, top A's 9-4 to avoid sweep  —  The Astros won for the second time in nine games.  The Athletics had won 13 of their past 16 games to draw even with Houston.  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Justin Verlander pitched just well enough to earn his 200th career win …

Cubs to face Pirates in 2019 Little League Classic  —  The Cubs will face Pittsburgh in next year's Little League Classic.  —  The game will be held at Bowman Field on Aug. 18, 2019.  The Cubs and Pirates will attend Little League World Series games earlier in the day.

Rockies stay hot in Atlanta … Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, in Atlanta.  (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland)  — TODD KIRKLAND … Colorado Rockies left fielder Gerardo Parra …

Nun throws out the first pitch before the Royals-White Sox game  —  Sister Mary Jo Sobieck delivered a fine enough lob after showing some tricks up her sleeve  —  The Chicago White Sox lost at home on Saturday night to the lowly Kansas City Royals.  Worry not about the collective spirit …

Urena throws 1st complete game, Marlins rout Nationals 12-1  —  MIAMI - Jose Urena made the most of his borrowed time, pitching a two-hitter for his first complete game in the majors and leading the Miami Marlins over the Washington Nationals 12-1 on Sunday.

Power Rankings: Sizzling sluggers shake things up  —  This week, there were some things you probably know are not about to change.  The Red Sox are a unanimous No. 1 again, which isn't a surprise.  And the Yankees, Astros and Indians are still all piled up behind them …

The 100s tracker: Can Red Sox stay on record-setting pace?  —  The 100-win pace club is dwindling.  The Astros are now on pace for just 97 wins, knocking them out of the club.  That would still be tied for third most in a season in franchise history but would still leave them short of joining the club.

MLB: Yu Darvish's rehab start cut short  —  Chicago Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish lasted only one inning in his rehab start with Class-A South Bend (Ind.) on Sunday, casting doubt on his availability for the rest of the year.  —  Darvish, who has been sidelined by triceps and elbow injuries …

Last Slide  —  SAN DIEGO - From April through September, it can be hard to get anyone in baseball to call a game a must-win - at least not until it's already been won.  Even then it can be tough, evidenced by the Diamondbacks' lack of grand proclamations after their 4-3 …

Iowa Cubs reliever Dakota Mekkes either headed back to school or to the big leagues in September  —  Triple-A baseball came to Des Moines in 1968 with the Iowa Oaks, and the Iowa Cubs have carried the torch since 1982.  Here's a collection of some of the biggest names and best players during that time.

Damn the ‘idiots’: Blue Jays feel Hernandez will develop into a solid outfielder  —  NEW YORK — Blue Jays first base coach Tim Leiper, who is also in charge of working with the team's outfielders, was asked prior to Sunday afternoon's game at Yankee Stadium about fans and media types …

The National League playoff picture is complete chaos … In the American League, we already have a pretty good idea of what teams are making the postseason.  —  The AL West is still up for grabs, with the surging Oakland A's just one game back of the defending champion Houston Astros …